FFA Membership Policy and Expanding Access to Private School and Homeschool Students

• In Event: 56.082 - Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: 56.082-9 - Career and Technical Education SIG Poster Session

Abstract

FFA is the Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for Agricultural Education programs and has a stated goal of expanding membership access. Expansion could include private and home school students if potential participation pathways are accessible for FFA membership eligibility. An evaluation coding process examining current state FFA constitutions revealed two distinct categories of FFA membership eligibility requirements along with two unique membership eligibility clauses. Differences between state FFA constitutions, along with multiple membership pathways currently being utilized by private and home school students, reveal an ambiguous situation regarding state FFA constitutions and interpretation of membership language. Implications include reexamining and clarifying membership eligibility requirement language in state constitutions of CTSOs such as FFA that wish to expand membership access.

Authors

• Matthew J. Kararo, Purdue University

• Neil A. Knobloch, Purdue University