Career and Technical
Student Organizations
CTSO’s
Historical Overview of CTSO’s
… how it all began
 In the 18th and 19th centuries, the concept of an
organization designed to support students learning a
vocation began as trade guilds and apprenticeships.
 Later – about 1917 – career and technical education
and its youth organizations began with different
federal laws.
Federal Laws
Smith-Hughes Act (1917) – signed by President Woodrow Wilson
Often referred to as the “Granddaddy Act” of
vocational education, it provided funds for
Agriculture teachers whose duties included advising
and supervising vocational student organizations.
“George Acts” (1929, 1934, 1936, and 1946)
A series of laws that supplemented and continued funding
for vocational education started with Smith-Hughes Act.
(Federal Laws – continued)
“George Acts”
Of the 4 acts, the most important to youth
organizations was the George-Barden Act of 1946,
also known as the Vocational Education Act of 1946.
It was the also the first act to mention a
vocational student organization by name and
funds specifically related to the vocational
agriculture
student organization.
More about laws…
Public Law 81-740 (1950)
Federally chartered a vocational student
organization (established relationship between
the student organization and the educational
program) and tied the U.S. Office of Education
to them. Established pattern of treating existing
and future vocational student organizations as
integral parts of vocational education.
Vocational Education Act of 1963
(and subsequent acts of 1968 and 1976)…
Specified that vocational student organizations were an
essential part of vocational instruction.
Therefore, vocational education became a legitimate
recipient of federal and state grant funds for the purpose of
providing leadership and support to VSO’s and their
applicable and appropriate activities.
Carl D. Perkins Vocational &
Technical Education Act of 2006
(Updated version of earlier Perkins laws passed in 1984, 1990, and 1998)
Provides federal support for career and technical
education.
Provides resources to secondary and postsecondary
career and technical education programs to support
innovation and program improvement.
Increased focus on academic achievement of career
and technical education students.
CTSO’s Today…
CTSO’s are highly regarded as an integral part of career and
technical education.
CTSO’s play an important role in preparing young people to
become productive citizens in their communities.
CTSO’s provide a unique program of career and leadership
development, motivation, and recognition for secondary
and postsecondary CTAE students.
FFA – Future Farmers
of America
Founded in 1928
Programs: Agricultural Education
Local chapters: 7,358
Total annual membership: 557,318
All 50 states, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands
Next national conference:
10/30-11/2, 2013 – Louisville, Kentucky
FEA (FFEA) Future Educators
Association
Founded in 1937
Programs: Teacher Assisting
Local chapters: Unknown
Total annual membership: 11,000+
42 States, Germany, Northern Mariana Islands
Next national conference:
4/11-13, 2014
Minneapolis, Minnesota
FBLA –
Future Business Leaders
of America
Founded in 1942
Programs: Business, Management &
Administration
Local chapters: 6,000
Total annual membership: 235,000
46 States, DoDDS Europe Mariana Islands, US Virgin
Islands, Puerto Rico
Next national conference:
6/2 – 7/2, 2013
Nashville, Tennessee
FCCLA Family, Career and
Community Leaders of
America
Founded in 1945
Programs: Family & Consumer Science
Local chapters: 7,000+
Total annual membership: 200,000+
50 States, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Japan
Next national conference:
7/6-10, 2014
San Antonio, Texas
DECA –
An Association of
Marketing Students
Founded in 1946
Programs: Marketing
Local chapters: 6,000
Total annual membership: 185,000+
50 States, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Korea,
Mexico, Puerto Rico
Next national conference:
5/3-6, 2014
Atlanta, Georgia
SkillsUSA –
(formerly VICA - Vocational
Industrial Clubs of America)
Founded in 1965
Programs: Industrial Arts
Local chapters: 15,000+
Total annual membership: 255,331+
50 States, Guam, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands
Next national conference:
6/22-27, 2014
Kansas City, Missouri
HOSA –
Health Occupations
Students of America
Founded in 1976
Programs: Health Science
Local chapters: 2,700
Total annual membership: 143,000+
47 States, Puerto Rico
Next national conference:
6/2014
Orlando, Florida
TSA –
Technology Student
Association
Founded in 1978
Programs: Industrial Arts
Local chapters: 2,000
Total annual membership: 180,000
47 States, Scotland, Germany, Peru
Next national conference:
6/27 – 7/1/14
Washington, D.C.
(National Harbor, Maryland)
FPSA–
Florida Public Service
Association
Founded in 1990
Programs: Criminal Justice, First
Responder, Teacher Assisting
Local chapters: Unknown
Total annual membership: Unknown
Next national conference: 4/2014
CTSO’s are Co-curricular
…part of a program/course’s
curriculum according to state
frameworks.
What does Co-curricular mean?
 A Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)
is an integral PART of a specific program of
study/courses.
 This is different than other “clubs” at your school that
you may join based on a certain interest or service.
(i.e. Chess Club, Key Club, Environmental Club, etc.)
Why should I join my CTSO?
Many positive benefits of CTSO Membership!
Career understanding
Scholarship opportunities
Leadership development
Social events/activities
Resume enhancement
Personal growth
Networking/meet new people
Recognition
Teambuilding skills
Travel and FUN!!!
Statistics show that CTSO members:
 Earn better grades
 Have improved school attendance
 Are significantly more likely to pursue postsecondary education
(college or technical schools)
 Gain valuable career knowledge and skills, including
networking and teambuilding skills, important in the workplace
 Improve not only their leadership skills, but their speech and
presentation development as well
 Have increased scholarship opportunities available
 Benefit from having positive role models and a group to
identify with and belong to
General CTSO Vocabulary
 CTSO – Career and Technical Student
Organization
 vocation
 trade guild
 apprenticeship
 Smith-Hughes Act
 George-Barden Act of 1946
 chartered
 vocational
 Carl D. Perkins Vocational & Technical
Act of 2006
 resources
 integral
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FFA
FEA
FBLA
FCCLA
DECA
SkillsUSA
HOSA
TSA
FPSA
co-curricular