About FCAE      
The Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education is supported with funds from the Agricultural Education line item within the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) budget and is charged with improving education in and about agriculture and related agricultural industries, pre-kindergarten through adult levels.

FCAE began operations with staffing on April 17, 1989, addressing the aims of Public Act 84-1452 involving the implementation of identified goals for improving education in and about Agriculture in Illinois. FCAE consists of three grants including Curriculum Resource Management, Local Program Support and Work-based Learning.

FCAE - Curriculum Resource Management      
The Curricular Resource Management Grant, is intended to provide school-based agricultural education teachers in Illinois with high-quality, standards-aligned curricular resources for courses in agriculture, food, and natural resources in addition to immersive professional learning aligned to said resources. The successful applicant for this grant project will review existing and develop new curriculum and assessments, ensure alignment of resources to applicable and appropriate Illinois Learning Standards, disseminate said resources, and deliver professional learning.

FCAE - Local Program Support      

The FCAE Local Program Support (FCAE-LPS) Grant is intended to provide field staff support to school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teachers and administrators through on-site assistance, professional learning and development, and statewide data collection. This grant is also intended to coordinate agricultural literacy initiatives and SBAE teacher recruitment/retention strategies. 

FCAE - Work-based Learning      
The Work-based Learning (WBL) Grant, is intended to provide students and teachers in Illinois with school-based agricultural education programs information and resources relating to student engagement in Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs. This project is also intended to coordinate efforts between school-based agricultural education (SBAE) and the agricultural science and business community to improve SAE programs. Coordination of SAE-related statewide contracts as economically advantageous for agricultural education programs and SAE-based awards and recognition programs is also included.