Introduction to Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSO’s) Developed at NCSU Adapted by David Agnew Arkansas State University

Career and Technical Student Organizations: CTSO’s are recognized as integral to the career and technical education program. CTSO's provide a unique program of career and leadership development, motivation and recognition exclusively for middle/junior high and secondary students enrolled in career and technical programs.

Membership benefits: How do young people benefit from membership in the CTSOs?

Benefits of CTSOs Provides for personal development. Young people grow and mature through CTSOs. These organizations help in the maturation process.

Benefits of CTSOs Develops “people” skills that can be used throughout life such as learning to work in teams and how to set and achieve goals as a group. CTSOs promote the development of interpersonal relationship skills.

Benefits of CTSOs Develops leadership skills. Research has shown that membership in CTSOs develops leadership skills. Members are more likely to be community leaders in the future.

Benefits of CTSOs Provides for experiential learning. In CTSOs students learn new information through a “hands-on” approach.

Benefits of CTSOs Develops responsibility. CTSOs members learn to be responsible for their actions. For the organization to succeed each member has to do his/her part.

Benefits of CTSOs Helps make learning fun. Not only is learning enhanced if it experiential, it is also enhanced if it can be made enjoyable. Many educational activities in CTSOs are fun; thus learning is improved.

Benefits of CTSOs Farm and home life is improved. When students apply what they have learned in CTSOs at home, life is improved. This can be in the inner city, suburbs or in rural areas.

Benefits of CTSOs Develops self-confidence. When CTSOs members experience success in their endeavors, they gain a new sense of self-confidence in their abilities.

Benefits of CTSOs Provides recognition. Many young people have never won a single award or recognition. Through youth organization activities, young people have a chance to receive recognition. This is an important part of developing into a well- balanced individual.

Benefits of CTSOs Provides a positive atmosphere. Young people today come from a variety of backgrounds; not all of which are desirable or healthy. The CTSOs often provides the only nurturing and positive atmosphere the young person will experience.

Benefits of CTSOs Develops a sense of community and volunteerism. Community improvement and development is a hallmark characteristic of CTSOs. Through participation in these activities the young person learns that he or she is part of a larger community.

Benefits of CTSOs Improves communication and decision making skills. Public speaking and participation in meetings is encouraged in the youth organizations. In these activities students learn to think on their feet and make quick decisions.

Benefits of CTSOs Cultivate new friends and develop respect for others. Life long friendships develop through CTSOs activities. Young people also learn how to interact with their peers.

Benefits of CTSOs Promotes career awareness. By participating in CTSOs activities, young people become aware of new career opportunities.

Benefits of CTSOs Learn to be more accepting of other cultures and diversity. By participating in youth organization activities outside the local area, young people are exposed to different cultures. At the national FFA convention some FFA chapters purposely have meals with other FFA chapters who are culturally different.

Benefits of CTSOs Develop parliamentary procedure skills and the ability to run a meeting. No matter what a person does in life, a knowledge of parliamentary procedure and how to conduct a meeting are valuable skills.

Benefits of CTSOs Agricultural Literacy. Many CTSOs members do not end up in agricultural careers. However, their participation in CTSOs activities makes them better informed consumers, more knowledgeable of agriculture, and more appreciative of the nation’s agricultural heritage.

Benefits of CTSOs Develops skills and responsibilities associated with being a role model and mentor. There are numerous CTSOs activities where older members work with younger members and elementary school children.

Benefits of CTSOs Earn scholarships and money. Through participation in CTSOs activities, young people have the opportunity to earn scholarships and cash prizes for their efforts.

Benefits of CTSOs Fosters a sense of belonging. It is human nature to want to be accepted. Young people want to be part of a group. The CTSOs provide a much more desirable way to belong to a group than the alternatives such as gangs.

Benefits of CTSOs Have the opportunity to travel. Many young people, even in this day and age, go on their first real trip of first overnight trip away from home while participating in CTSOs activities. There is also the opportunity for international travel.

What are the CTSO’S

Career and Technical Education Student Organizations (CTSO)

FFA National FFA Organization Affiliated with Agricultural Education Originally called the Future Farmers of America Started in 1928, name changed in 1988

FFA Mission: FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

FCCLA Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Inc. Associated with Family and Consumer Sciences Originally FHA (Future Homemakers of America) then FHA-HERO (Home Economics Related Occupations)

FCCLA Mission: To promote personal growth and leadership development through family and consumer sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through-- character development creative and critical thinking interpersonal communication practical knowledge and vocational preparation

FBLA Future Business Leaders of America Affiliated with Business and Office Education First chapters started in the 1940s Post-secondary division is Phi Beta Lambda

FBLA Mission: The mission of FBLA is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership development programs.

BPA Business Professionals of America Affiliated with Business and Office Education Originally called the Office Education Association Established in 1966, name change in 1988 Strong in the Midwest

BPA Mission Statement: The mission of Business Professionals of America is to contribute to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills.

DECA DECA (An Association of Marketing Students) Affiliated with Marketing Education Started in 1946 as Distributive Education Clubs of America

DECA Mission: The mission of DECA is to enhance the co-curricular education of students with interests in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. DECA helps students develop skills and competence for marketing careers, build self-esteem, experience leadership and practice community service. DECA is committed to the advocacy of marketing education and the growth of business and education partnerships.

HOSA Health Occupations Students of America Affiliated with Health Occupations Education Established in 1976

HOSA Mission: The mission of HOSA is to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill and leadership development of all health occupations education students, therefore helping the students to meet the needs of the health care industry.

TSA Technology Student Association Affiliated with Technology Education Started in 1967 as AIASA (American Industrial Arts Student Association) Name change

TSA Mission: The mission of the Technology Student Association is to prepare our membership for the challenge of a dynamic world by promoting technological literacy, leadership, and problem solving, resulting in personal growth and opportunity.

SkillsUSA-VICA Affiliated with Trade and Industrial Education Originally VICA – Vocational Industrial Clubs of America Started in 1965 Name changed in 1999

Web Links FCCLA - FBP TSA - FFA - FBLA - HOSA DECA -

In Conclusion In a commentary in Education Week (September 26, 1984) Stuart Rosenfield stated that agricultural education was a model for education reform. He praised the FFA for developing leadership. If people would learn more about the MODERN day CTSOs program, they would recognize the importance of these programs in developing our young people.