What primary legislation helped promote vocational education and led to the FFA's creation?

The Smith-Hughes Act is the primary piece of legislation that significantly promoted vocational education in the United States and is directly correlated with the founding of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). Enacted in 1917, the act provided federal funding for vocational education programs, specifically targeting agricultural, industrial, and home economics education.

This legislation established a framework that allowed high schools across the nation to develop more robust programs focused on preparing students for careers in agriculture and related fields. It recognized the importance of specialized training for students entering the workforce, and by supporting agriculture education, it laid the groundwork for associations like the FFA to emerge, showcasing the value of leadership, personal growth, and career success in the agricultural sector.

The other options presented do not primarily focus on vocational education or have a direct historical connection to the establishment of the FFA. For instance, the National School Lunch Act primarily addresses nutrition for schoolchildren, the Vocational Education Act, while significant, came after the Smith-Hughes Act, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act focuses on education equity rather than vocational training. Thus, the Smith-Hughes Act stands out as the pivotal legislation that facilitated the development of vocational education and the FFA.