hr50.html

05 LC 14 9194S/AP

House Resolution 50 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)

By: Representatives England of the 108th, McCall of the 30th, Roberts of the 154th, Benton of the 31st, Jamieson of the 28th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Creating the Joint Agricultural Education Study Committee; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, agriculture is Georgiás largest industry and Georgiás agribusiness sector contributes over $57 billion of annual economic output, which is about 16 percent of the statés total annual economic output; and

WHEREAS, a Georgia Agribusiness Council study has found that one in every five Georgians works in an agriculturally related sector of the statés economy; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to develop agricultural education instructional standards that are integrated within current academic content standards; and

WHEREAS, cross-curricula instruction at all grade levels will enhance student achievement in core academic subjects; and

WHEREAS, agricultural education of our young people in their middle and high school years plays an integral part in strengthening and enhancing the vital role of agriculture in our economy and way of life; and

WHEREAS, all students need to understand the following:

Grade Level 5

The importance of agriculture

The role of science in agriculture

The origin of food and fiber

The technology related to agriculture

Grade Level 8

Societýs standard of living in relation to agriculture

How agricultural science has recognized various soil types

Agriculture systemś use of natural and human resources

The improvement of agricultural production through technology

Career opportunities in agriculture

Grade Level 12

The importance of agriculture to society

The influence of agricultural science on farming practices

The function of the components of the food/fiber system

Efforts of efficiency in agriculture through technology

Management practices in agricultural businesses

Agricultural science and its influence on biotechnology

Social, political, and economic factors that affect agriculture

The relationship of research and development activities in agriculture; and

WHEREAS, the intent of this resolution is to provide direction to develop instructional strategies to teach the above standards and to integrate them into a broad range of academic subject areas, to provide a stronger career preparation program to meet the demands of a dynamic and competitive agriculture industry, and to provide for a better informed citizenry; and

WHEREAS, existing programs in this area, including among others the Young Farmer Program, food processing facilities, youth camps, extended day/year, and area teacher and industry certification, have done much to advance this cause but other improvements may be attainable; and

WHEREAS, there has been no formal study by the General Assembly in recent years of issues relating to agricultural education; and

WHEREAS, it would be of benefit to the General Assembly to promptly complete a study with respect to what improvements are needed and can be attained in this essential area, including a study with respect to the development of nonmandatory instructional standards for the integration of agricultural education into elementary, middle, and secondary schoolś programs of study for public schools in Georgia and the development of a K-12 Agricultural Education Strategic Plan; and

WHEREAS, the study will provide direction and oversight for the development and implementation of an action plan for the delivery of agricultural education and its related programs.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that there is created the Joint Agricultural Education Study Committee to be composed of three members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; three members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Assignments; one person knowledgeable in the area of agricultural education to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; one person knowledgeable in the area of agricultural education to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Assignments; four persons knowledgeable in the area of agricultural education to be appointed by the Governor; and three persons knowledgeable in the area of agricultural education to be appointed by the State School Superintendent. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate a member of the House and the Senate Committee on Assignments shall designate a member of the Senate who shall serve as cochairpersons of the committee. The committee shall meet at the call of the cochairpersons.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. As a minimum the committee shall provide recommendations for the following:

1. A plan to provide for a state-wide Agriculture Learning Center Model to be developed at local levels;

2. Program-standard approval for all related appropriations, such as Young Farmer, extended day/year, youth camps, food processing, and area teacher and industry certification;

3. New program criteria available for funding;

4. Recommendations to the Governor and legislative bodies for appropriations and legislative acts to enhance the delivery of agricultural education;

5. The development and review of an annual report and evaluation for the agricultural education program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances authorized for legislative members of interim legislative committees but shall receive the same for not more than ten days unless additional days are authorized. The other members of the committee shall serve without compensation. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the House of Representatives and Senate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee is directed to make a report of its findings and recommendations not later than the convening of the 2006 regular session, at which time the committee shall be dissolved.