Kentucky Department of Education

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.  Appropriate CTSO's are to be provided as indicated by KRS151B.025 section 9 and Kentucky Board of Education Goal 3.5. 

CTSO's are not "clubs" to which only a few career and technical students belong.  Rather, a CTSO is a powerful instructional tool that works best when integrated into the career and technical curriculum and classroom by a career and technical instructor who is committed to the development of the total person, career and technical educators recognize the importance of providing students with job and career-related training that complements the job-specific skills needed for entry into a particular field.

Career and Technical Student Organizations are extremely effective as "instructional tools" when used properly by trained career and technical educators.  CTSO activities are integral to career and technical education when they:

       - Provide instructional strategies used to develop, improve and expand occupational competencies related to a particular career and technical subject matter;

       - Are an extension of the classroom/laboratory instructional program which enriches and enhances classroom/laboratory learning; and

        -Present organized activities for students to gain personal and leadership skills making them more employable, preparing them to become productive citizens, and assisting them in assuming positive roles in the home and community.

DECA = Distributive Education Clubs of America is an integral component of Marketing Education, providing educational and leadership development activities to be integrated into the classroom marketing instructional program.  It is DECA's mission to enhance the education of students with interests in marketing, management and entrepreneurship.

            Kentucky web address: http://www.kydeca.org

            National web address: www.deca.org

FBLA = The Future Business Leaders of America is an integral component of Business Education, strive to prepare students for employment by promoting competent, aggressive business leadership, increasing understanding of the American free enterprise system, establishing career goals, encouraging scholarship, promoting efficient financial management and developing character and self confidence in the members.

            Kentucky web address: www.kyfbla.org

            National web address: http://www.fbla-pbl.org

 FCCLA = Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work and societal issues. The family is the central focus for young men and women enrolled in Human Services – Family & Consumer Science classes through grade 12.  FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life – planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision-making and interpersonal communication – necessary in the home and workplace.

            Kentucky web address: www.kyfccla.org           

            National web address: www.fcclainc.org

FFA = FFA is a national organization of students preparing for careers in food, fiber and natural resources systems. This is achieved through integral programs of agricultural education in public schools. Activities, honors and award programs provide students with incentives and practical experiences in the application of knowledge, acquired through class and laboratory instruction.  FFA's makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

            Kentucky web address: www.kyffa.org

            National web address: www.ffa.org

HOSA = Health Occupations Students of America is a student organization whose mission is to promote career opportunities in health care and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. Through the web site, members, advisors, and guests can access a wide array of services from basic organization information to online membership services. HOSA provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for secondary, postsecondary, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in health occupations education programs. HOSA is 100% health care!
            Kentucky Web Address:  not available at this time
            National Web Address:   www.hosa.org

TSA = The Technology Student Association is the national organization for technology education students. The mission of the Technology Student Association is to prepare our membership for the challenges of a dynamic world by promoting technological literacy, leadership, and problem solving, resulting in personal growth and opportunity. The Technology Student Association (TSA) is the only student organization devoted exclusively to the needs of technology education students who are presently enrolled in, or have completed, technology education courses. It is composed of over 100,000 elementary, middle, and high school students, in 2,000 schools/chapters spanning 45 states. TSA is supported by educators, parents and business leaders who believe in the need for a technologically literate society and are working to achieve that goal.

            Kentucky Web Address: http://www.kentuckytsa.org

            Kentucky web address: not available at this time

            National web address: http://www.skillsusa.org