1. Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are key components to strong CTE programs. CTSOs integrate into CTE programs and courses and extend teaching and learning through innovative programs, business and community partnerships and leadership experiences at the school, state and national levels.

3. Making an Impact With more than 1.5 million student members combined, CTSOs have a definite impact on students’ overall college and career readiness: Students who participate in CTSOs demonstrate higher levels of academic engagement and motivation, civic engagement, career self-efficacy and employability skills than other students, and the more students participate in CTSO activities, the better the results. According to the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education, participating in leadership and professional development activities in a CTSO raises students’ educational aspirations. Students who participate in school organizations in 10th grade have higher high school grade point average and are more likely to be enrolled in college at 21 than other students.

4. Nine organizations. One common mission.

5. Founded in 1966, Business Professionals of America has 43,000 members in over 2,300 chapters in 23 states. BPA is a co-curricular organization that supports business and information technology educators by offering co-curricular exercises based on national standards. Founded in 1946, DECA is organized into two unique student divisions each with programs designed to address the learning styles, interest and focus of its members. The High School Division includes 200,000 members in 3,500 schools. The Collegiate Division includes over 15,000 members in 275 colleges and universities. FBLA-PBL was founded in 1958. The high school division has 215,000 members, while the postsecondary division reaches over 11,000 college students. The newest group, FBLA-Middle Level, is showing remarkable growth with over 20,000 student members. FCCLA is the only in-school student organization with the family as its central focus. Today 200,000 members in more than 5,500 chapters are active in a network of associations in 50 states, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Founded in 1945 The National FFA Organization (formerly known as the Future Farmers of America) envisions a future in which all agricultural education students will discover their passions and build on that insight to chart a course for their education, careers and personal futures. Today, there are 629,367 FFA members, aged 12‒21, in 7,757 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Founded 1928

6. Founded 1976, HOSA Future Health Professionals, formerly Health Occupations Students of America, provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for secondary, postsecondary, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in HSE programs. Just in SC, HOSA had over 4000 secondary and postsecondary/collegiate members in 2014-2015. HOSA has grown steadily reaching over 186,000 members through 54 chartered HOSA State/International Associations, and also include American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and Italy. Founded 1965, SkillsUSA is an applied method of instruction for preparing America’s high performance workers in public career and technical programs. SkillsUSA serves more than 300,000 students and instructors annually. The organization has 13,000 school chapters in 54 state and territorial associations. More than 14,500 instructors and administrators are professional members of SkillsUSA. Founded in 1978, The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national organization devoted exclusively to the needs of students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Open to young people enrolled in—or who have completed—technology education courses, TSA’s membership includes more than 200,000 middle and high school students in 2,000 schools spanning 48 states.

7. EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS Support 21st Century Skills CTSO programs and activities develop 21st Century Skills such as collaboration, communications, critical thinking and creativity. Preparing Future Leaders. CTSO programs and activities provide students with opportunities to assume leadership roles and encourage them to be active citizens. Emerging Technology.

8. Tavarus Rowe, currently serving as National HOSA Post – Secondary Board Representative Senior at College of Charleston Exercise Science / Pre Med Concentration Plan to attend Medical School and specialize in Emergency Medicine. Currently work at Trident Medical Center in Charleston as an E.R. Tech and as a Pre- Health peer advising mentor with College of Charleston. Has been a past State Officer for SC HOSA serving as Vice President and then as President. Attended a summer medical and dental program for 6 weeks at Duke in 2014 Graduated from Gilbert High School and was a member of HOSA and served as a local officer. Certified Nurse Aide

9. Business Partnerships Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) engage businesses and industry at the national, state, and local levels. This involvement shows educators and students alike that business cares about their future and helps ensure that education experiences are aligned to the needs of business. Among the nine CTSOs more than 1,000 businesses are actively involved in a variety of ways. Some of the CTSO’s major partners are below.

10. In Summary: Needless to say CTSO’s are impactful on a student’s life. CTSOs provide relevant, engaging programs that improve student achievement, reduce dropout rates and help students discover the wide range of career options available. CTSOs engage the community and local businesses to help students understand global competition and chart effective and efficient pathways through high school and postsecondary education for their personal success. CTSO programs, such as industry based competitive events and community service, provide students with the opportunity to develop 21st Century Skills focused on creativity, problem solving, teamwork and goal setting. CTSO programs and activities provide students with opportunities to assume leadership roles and encourage them to be active citizens CTSOs bring relevance to the classroom and prepare students to be college and career ready.