Last Friday, California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross released a statement committing to the ongoing funding of Career Technical Education (CTE) programs through the California Department of Education (CDE), which includes the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program. This commitment comes in response to an upwelling of concerns regarding the Governor’s Budget proposal redirecting $15.4 million in funding away from these programs. This week, both the Assembly and Senate Budget subcommittees concurred with the Administration’s commitment by restoring CTE funding in their respective proposals.
Senate Bill 1070 (Chapter 433, Statutes of 2012) reauthorized the Career Technical Education Pathways program and allocated $48 million to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, of which $15.4 million is directed annually to CDE for a variety of CTE programs. Approximately 10 percent of the $15.4 million is provided through grants to Career Technical Student Organizations such as FFA. The Governor’s proposed Budget redirected the funds from CDE to the Community Colleges Strong Workforce Program, eliminating approximately $250,000 annually to FFA, and several million to California Partnership Academy Programs.
Letters from legislators requesting funding restoration can be found here and here.