Agricultural Education Facts and Figures  There are 25,483 students enrolled in 356 Agricultural Education Programs taught by 431 teachers.  30.8% were female and 25.5% were minority.  Oklahoma had a record FFA membership in of 23,934 FFA members.

Agricultural Education  State Board of Career and Technology Education approves budget.  Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education submits budgets for approval and allocates money.  Agricultural Education Division submits budget to agency.  Local School District receives money for CareerTech programs.

Oklahoma Dept. of CareerTech and Ag Ed  The Oklahoma Dept. of CareerTech has an Ag Ed Division that employees 5 Program Specialists that oversee 5 districts of the state; 1 State FFA Executive Secretary, that oversees the Oklahoma FFA Association; and 1 State Advisor or Dept. Head that oversee all department activities.  The Program Specialists work closely with Ag Ed instructors and Administrators in their local advisory school districts.

The Role of the Program Specialist  Conduct program evaluations to assure program quality and assist with program improvement.  Plan professional development training.  Plan and provide guidance to the student organizations and assist with student conference activities.  Work closely with administration to ensure program quality through adequate instruction, funding, and setting effective goals.

Funding for Agricultural Education Programs The Oklahoma Dept. of CareerTech provides each school a total of $18,700 per instructor for having a full-time, 12- month, Agricultural Education program. Of that:  $2,400 is applied to teacher salary at a rate of $200 per month.  $5,600 is summer salary reimbursement to the school for assistance in summer salary for the ag instructor.  $10,700 is program assistance grant.

Activity Fund Account versus General Fund Account Generally, the Program Assistance Grant ($10,700) is deposited into the General Fund account of the school. It is used to support the additional costs of the Ag Ed program including the purchase of equipment, instructional supplies, and staff development.

 General Fund Account- Those funds provided by the school district specifically for the Agricultural Education program, not the FFA program. Examples: curriculum, equipment, etc.  Activity Fund Account- Those funds raised by the FFA program to be used for and by the FFA program. The money may have been raised by sausage sales, labor auctions, etc. Activity Fund Account versus General Fund Account

Generally, the use of the Activity Fund Account is used at the discretion of the instructor and approved by the Administration and can be used anytime. General Fund account items are approved monthly at each regularly scheduled board meeting.

Carl Perkins Funding The other main source of dollars that school may receive for their CareerTech program at the high school level is through the federally funded Carl Perkins Grants. A school district may or may not have these funds available depending on the qualifications of the district.

Carl Perkins Funding In order for a school to receive their funding, they must be a stand-alone school or form a consortium with other high school programs with “like programs”. The amount a school receives is based 70% - The number of students years of age that live in poverty in the school district. 30% - The number of students age that live in the school district.

Other Sources of Funds for Ag Ed Programs Technology Grants (In Past) 8 th Grade Curriculum Grants Booster Clubs – Other support clubs Company/Foundation Grants -Special projects, Outdoor Classrooms, Greenhouse, etc.

Handling of School Funds Teachers have a tremendous responsibility of handling vast amounts of money at different times of the year. This responsibility is sometimes taken lightly and overlooked by some teachers. The mishandling of funds can get a teacher fired quicker than anything.

Handling of School Funds Know your school policy on filling out requisitions Get to know your school secretary very well. Don’t leave money in your desk, file cabinet, in the pick-up, etc. Get it deposited! Write receipts for money received and money deposited. Keep an extensive paper trail.