Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are co-curricular organizations for individuals who are enrolled in career and technical classes and/or programs. The goal of CTSOs is to engage students in leadership development and career and technical education activities that are part of the instructional program. CTSOs are also part of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)’s Quality CTE Program of Study Framework. Additionally, students can, with local school approval, earn credit forÌýParticipation in GovernmentÌýthrough active membership in a Career and Technical Student Organization.Ìý
In New York, there are seven chartered CTSOs which represent all six of New York’s CTE areas. See each CTSO belowÌýto learn more about each organization and what it may provide for your school’s CTE program.
DECA: An association of marketing students
FBLA: Future Business Leaders of America
FCCLA: Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America
HOSA: Future health professionals
TSA: Technology Student Organization
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Q&A ON STUDENT DATA USED BY CTE STUDENT ORGANIZATIONSÌý
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DECA: An association of marketing students
Overview: DECA, formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America, provides activities and classroom tools that promote the development of leadership skills in marketing, business administration and management, finance, and hospitality. DECA serves more than 7,000 students in °ÄÃÅÌØÂëÍõ enrolled in business and marketing education programs.Ìý
NYSED contact:ÌýMichael LaMastra
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FBLA: Future Business Leaders of America
Overview: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is a CTSO focused on business management and administration. FBLA’s programs focus on leadership development, academic competition, educational programs, and community service. FBLA serves more than 6,500 students in °ÄÃÅÌØÂëÍõ throughout their four divisions: middle-level, high school, collegiate, and professional.
NYSED contact:ÌýMichael LaMastra
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FCCLA: Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America
Overview: Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps students become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through family and consumer sciences education. FCCLA teaches leadership skills and encourages career exploration in the areas of human services, hospitality and tourism, education and training, and visual arts and design. FCCLA is an integral part of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) education and an essential element in a complete FACS program. The wide range of diverse activities, projects, programs, leadership opportunities, and service learning experienced through FCCLA complement and augment the content topics of the FACS curricula.
NYSED contact:ÌýKelli Grab
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The National FFA Organization
Overview: The FFA is a dynamic youth organization aimed to prepare its members for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Participants develop their talents through hands-on experiences, giving members the tools to achieve real-world success in a wide variety of career fields. FFA is an intra-curricular organization and is one of the three components of agricultural education: classroom and laboratory experience, Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE- WBL), and Student Leadership Organizations (FFA). Today there are over 700,000 FFA members across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. In °ÄÃÅÌØÂëÍõ, agricultural education, as well as the FFA, is overseen by the New York Agricultural Outreach and Education organization which works in partnership with Cornell University and the °ÄÃÅÌØÂëÍõ.
NYSED contact:ÌýKelli Grab
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HOSA: Future health professionals
Overview: HOSA is a CTSO dedicated to promoting leadership and skills training within the health sciences. Their two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA has over 245,000 members worldwide, creating a large network of educators, future health care professionals, and practicing health care professionals.
NYSED contact:ÌýLouise Bigando
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SkillsUSA
Overview: SkillsUSA is a National Organization that provides students with educational experiences in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development. The °ÄÃÅÌØÂëÍõ SkillsUSA has more than 10,000 members who are involved in many community service activities as well as competing in regional conferences and the state conference held in Syracuse New York each spring. The first-place winners of the state conference go on to compete in the National Leadership and Skills Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia in June. Business and industry partners are directly involved in evaluating students' knowledge and skills.
NYSED contact:ÌýNicole Hadsell
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TSA: Technology Student Organization
Overview: The Technology Student Organization is a CTSO comprised of middle and high school students enrolled in technology education classes. Students work on competitive events focused on technology education content and apply leadership skills necessary in STEM-related fields.
NYSED contacts:ÌýBrittany KittermanÌýandÌýKelsey Roman
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PIG: Participation in Government
Students can, with local school approval, earn credit for Participation in Government through active membership in a Career and Technical Student Organization. Please reference the guide below for guidance as to how to implement this option for your students.
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