National Program Benchmarks
A Framework for Excellence in Agricultural Education
The National Program Benchmarks (NPB) provide a comprehensive, user-friendly framework to support continuous improvement in secondary Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource (AFNR) education programs.
Designed for educators, administrators, and community partners, the NPB offers a structured approach for evaluating and enhancing all aspects of a school-based Agricultural Education program. These benchmarks help programs set goals, measure progress, and align with best practices across the nation.
The NPB is organized into six key categories that reflect the foundational elements of Agricultural Education:
Classroom and Laboratory Instruction
Experiential, Project, and Work-Based Learning (SAE)
Leadership and Personal Development (FFA)
Educator Success
Facilities
Overall Program
Each category includes clear rubrics, suggested evidence, and planning tools that guide meaningful reflection and program development. Agricultural Educators can select one or two area to focus on, up to all six, depending on their time and the support they receive during the process.
Purpose and Use
The National Program Benchmarks are intended for local agriculture programs to:
Assess current program strengths and areas for growth
Set clear goals and priorities
Involve stakeholders such as administrators, advisory committees, FFA supporters and community partners and identify how they can assist.
Support strategic planning and external program reviews
Programs are encouraged to use the NPB as an ongoing guide—not just for evaluation, but as a catalyst for innovation and excellence.
A Modernized Approach
The NPB builds upon the legacy of the former National Quality Program Standards (NQPS) and reflects input from over 60 agricultural educators and state leaders. This refined tool emphasizes clarity, accessibility, and adaptability—ensuring programs of all sizes and settings can benefit from its use.
While the benchmarks represent ideal goals, they are designed to be flexible, allowing programs to tailor their approach based on local needs and resources.
