PHASE 1

Agricultural Education is one of the Career Technical Education or CTE Program Areas. According to the Department of Education in Indiana, CTE programs provide training for high skill careers that are in high demand. The CTE programs provided in schools allow for academic success for all students along with career preparation for a variety of trades. CTE programs include both programs within the schools and also Career and Technical Education Locations. CTE funding is being cut from schools because the focus of education shifted to focus on core academics in order to push students toward higher level education, however because of this shift in education there is a deficit in skilled labor workers. Having CTE programs does not have to limit or discourage the pursuit of higher education after high school, but instead provides other means and opportunities to reach achievement.

While core academics are paramount to secondary education, career technical education programs provide necessary life skills and career preparation that students may find a valuable part of their educational experience. Our focus is on why CTE funding is being cut from schools and its impact on the growing deficit for skilled workers. Not all CTE pathways lead to skilled labor, other pathways lead to engineering, nursing, and business. However, with a lack of funding all of these programs futures are in jeopardy. Our research will come from government websites on education such as the Indiana Department of Education’s website. We also plan to utilize blogs, articles, and other online resources documenting the funding cuts and their effects in everyday life. We will format our research findings in a blog style for ease of access and readability to our audience. These funding cuts directly affect our major as agricultural education falls under CTE programs. In addition to our curriculum, agricultural educators also have FFA programs that also focus on career development and leadership. This research project will allow us to understand what funding cuts we may face in the future and how to address those problems.

Group Member 1 – Phase 1 & 2 – Sheridan Elswick

Group Member 2 – Phase 3 – Molly Bull

Group Member 3 – Phase 3 – Courtney Kelley

Group Member 4 – Phase 4 & 5 – Brittany Young

Group Member 5 – Phase 4 & 5 – N/A