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VoAg Chairman Interview

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An Interview with a VoAg Department Chairman.
By Frances C. Foley, May 2006.

In 1958 a regional VoAg program began at Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford. I asked Mr. Schultz, the VoAg Department Chairman, a few questions.

Q1. How would you simply describe your program?

The VoAg program provides students an opportunity to develop and grow through classroom activities, supervised agricultural experience projects outside of school and through FFA leadership. Students not only have the opportunity to develop power skills, but can identify transferable skills which are essential throughout their whole life.

Many times students do not appreciate their opportunities in VoAg until five or ten years after they have graduated. Graduates many times comment on the skills learned in VoAg and how many times they came in handy. This is not confined to traditional agricultural careers but throughout many different non-agricultural careers.

Q2. How many students apply to your VoAg program every year?

The number has been growing each year.

1. 2003–04 = 109
2. 2004–05 = 115
3. 2005–06 = 122
4. 2006–07 = 145

I stopped taking application in 2005-06 and 2006-07 because I know the students would not get into the program. I probably could have had about 10 more this year.

Q3. What do you look for when selecting students for your program?

The rubric we use to select from interested students is as follows:

1. Application on time – 5
2. Application Neat (filled out by student) – 10
3. Three Teacher Recommendations – 15
4. Academics/effort/grades in line with ability – 10
5. Behavior/Discipline – 10
6. Guidance Recommendation – 10
7. Career Goals – 10
8. Opportunities or plan for ag experience (SAE) – 5
9. Attendance – 5
10. Community Involvement – 5
11. Application Complete – 5

Q4. How many students are currently in the program?

For 2005–06 = 222 and scheduled for next year = 231.

Q5. How many students are selected from East Haven each year?

We have not set number from each town. Each student is judged on their own merits regardless of town, brother or sister in the program, etc.
The current enrollment from East Haven is:

1. Freshman – 7
2. Sophomore – 4
3. Junior – 5
4. Seniors – 4
5. and next years class of 2006–07 has 5 freshman and 1 sophomore from East Haven.

Q6. How many students are sent back to their hometown high schools each year?

With failures – averages about 5 a year. Averages about 1 student per year who passes and does not return. Total about 6.

Q7. What does the future look like for Regional VoAg schools like yours?

From a student enrollment standpoint, the future looks bright. Enrollments are at an all time high with changes that have occurred within the programs. The limiting factor might be the cost of tuition to the sending towns. But this is going to be true for magnet, charter and VoAg schools.

Q8. Do you see the demand for more choices in high school education growing?

I certainly do provided towns are willing to pay the cost of sending students to the choice schools.

1. Many students like the concept of specialized themes; agriculture, marine science, the arts, etc.
2. Most of the programs are smaller in nature and provide a student with a connection within the high school.
3. Each student needs something to belong to – be it the band, FFA, Chess Club, DECA, etc.
4. Most choice schools provide more opportunities for students to succeed. The FFA is a great example. There are contests for all interest areas from public speaking to horse judging, plant science, ag communications, sales, etc. Many of the choice schools provide opportunities for students.

Find the answer to; What is FFA?

Look at the Lyman Hall VoAg Department Website.