Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The state of Georgia’s demographics has consistently changed in the last twenty years. Since 2010, the population of Georgia has steadily increased by 1% (Georgia Population by Year, County, Race, & More, 2023). A mirror of the state population increases occurred in the school system with 1% growth each year between 2010 and 2022 (Georgia Population by Year, County, Race, & More, 2023). The demographics of the state of Georgia has changed along with the population with an increase in Hispanic and Black population while the White population has decreased (Hauer, n.d.). The need to increase membership in Career Technical Student Organizations should be based on an increased school enrollment and ever-changing demographic. Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) offer opportunities for students to belong and have success. Georgia FFA, Georgia FCCLA, and Georgia FBLA are the top three CTSOs in Georgia based on membership. Factors of membership included a comparison of membership enrollment in the years 2020-2022, the demographic breakdown of the membership in terms of race, gender, and economics, and a look at the influence of Instagram on recruitment. Results indicated that Georgia FCCLA recruits gender equally. Georgia FFA and Georgia FCCLA membership do not reflect the demographics of the school systems. Economically, Georgia FFA and Georgia FCCLA recruit more from schools in economically disadvantaged areas while Georgia FBLA has more chapters in economically advantaged schools based on Title I data. Instagram is a marketing tool for CTSOs that may help with diversity. Georgia FFA and Georgia FCCLA Instagram posts during 2020-2022 did not correlate to membership increase. More diversity in programming, curriculum, and marketing could benefit the CTSOs. Teacher training programs need to prepare new teachers for recruitment of a diverse membership.

Year manuscript completed

2024

Year degree awarded

2024

Author's Keywords

CTSO, Diversity, FFA, FCCLA, FBLA, Membership, Georgia

Dissertation Committee Chair

Dr. Kristie Guffey

Co-Director of Dissertation

Dr. Catrina Pollard

Committee Chair

Dr. Catrina Pollard

Committee Member

Dr. Kristie Guffey

Committee Member

Dr. Samir Patel

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

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