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A Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) is an organization that engages in career and technical education activities as an integral part of the instructional program. CTSOs provide opportunities to develop and refine the skills students need in their chosen occupational area. Conferences, competitions, workshops, community service and other activities encourage leadership development and career exploration.
CTSOs in Perkins V
The Iowa Department of Education supports CTSOs by providing limited financial support through Perkins funding and technical assistance to the various CTSOs established within the state. The Department holds the state charter for each CTSO.
Career and Technical Organizations Toolkit
Career and Technical Student Organization Secondary Guidance
Career and Technical Student Organization Postsecondary Guidance
Guidance Impacting CTSOs and the Senior Year Plus Concurrent Enrollment Program
Integration
CTSOs have proven their ability to connect education and careers, motivate students, build education and business partnerships, participate in career guidance and counseling, encourage higher level academics, and build interpersonal and employability skills of students.
CTSOs are considered "co-curricular" organizations and are directly linked to career education coursework through a comprehensive high school, career academy or college with an organized chapter of the related CTSO.
CTSOs support the career and technical curricula to:
- enable students to achieve high academic and occupational standards
- develop meaningful business partnerships
- link work-based and school-based learning to the real world of work and family
- motivate youth to become better students and productive citizens
- develop school and community leaders
- enhance students’ self-esteem and self-confidence
- develop leadership skills and provide opportunities for success
- keep students motivated and concentrated
CTSO by School District
Click on the map image to the left to see an interactive map of showing the distribution of programs and CTSOs by school district and AEA.
CTSO Alignment
At the secondary level, CTSOs are aligned broadly by service area and, more narrowly, by CIP code, as defined by the following list.
Agricultural, Food and Natural Resources
| Service Area | CIP Code | CTSO |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, General | 01.000 | FFA |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 01.0101 | FFA |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 01.0201 | FFA |
| Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General | 01.0601 | FFA |
| Animal Sciences, General | 01.0901 | FFA |
| Plant Sciences, General | 01.1101 | FFA |
| Other CIP Codes - As needed | 01.xxxx | FFA |
Applied Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing
| Service Area | CIP Code | CTSO |
|---|---|---|
| Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician | 47.0603 | SkillsUSA |
| Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician | 47.0604 | SkillsUSA |
| Construction Trades, General | 46.0000 | SkillsUSA |
| Criminal Justice/Police Science | 43.0107 | SkillsUSA |
| Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | 47.0605 | SkillsUSA |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technician | 15.1301 | SkillsUSA or TSA |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | 15.0000 | SkillsUSA or TSA |
| Manufacturing Engineering Technology | 15.0613 | SkillsUSA or FFA |
| Welding Technology/Welder | 48.0508 | SkillsUSA or FFA |
Business, Finance, Marketing and Management
| Service Area | CIP Code | CTSO |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General | 52.0201 | BPA or DECA or FBLA-PBL |
| Business/Commerce, General | 52.0201 | BPA or DECA or FBLA-PBL |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | CIP Code 52.1401 | BPA or DECA or FBLA-PBL |
Information Solutions/Information Technology
| Service Area | CIP Code | CTSO |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Photography | 50.0406 | BPA or FBLA-PBL or TSA |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 11.0901 | BPA or FBLA-PBL or TSA |
| Computer Technology/Computer Systems Technology | 15.1202 | BPA or FBLA-PBL or TSA |
| Graphic Communications, General | 10.0301 | BPA or FBLA-PBL or TSA |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician | 10.0202 | BPA or FBLA-PBL or TSA |
Health Science
| Service Area | CIP Code | CTSO |
|---|---|---|
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 51.0000 | HOSA-Future Health Professionals |
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Services
| Service Area | CIP Code | CTSO |
|---|---|---|
| Apparel and Textiles, General | 19.90100 | FCCLA |
| Cooking and Related Culinary Arts, General | 12.0500 | FCCLA |
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching | 13.21001 | FCCLA |
| Education, General | 13.1010 | FCCLA |
| Family and Community Services | 19.7070 | FCCLA |
| Hospitality Administration/Management, General | 51.0100 | FCCLA |
At the postsecondary level, CTSOs are aligned by career cluster as defined by the following list.
| Service Area | CTSO |
|---|---|
| Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources | No postsecondary CTSO* |
| Architecture & Construction | SkillsUSA |
| Arts, AV Technology & Communications | BPA or FBLA-PBL |
| Business, Management & Administration | BPA or FBLA-PBL |
| Education & Training | FCCLA |
| Finance | BPA or FBLA-PBL |
| Government & Public Administration | FBLA-PBL or FCCLA |
| Health Science | HOSA |
| Hospitality & Tourism | FCCLA or SkillsUSA |
| Human Services | FCCLA or SkillsUSA |
| Information Technology | BPA or FBLA-PBL |
| Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security | SkillsUSA |
| Manufacturing | SkillsUSA |
| Marketing, Sales & Service | BPA or FBLA-PBL |
| Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics | SkillsUSA |
| Transportation, Distribution & Logistics | SkillsUSA |
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
FFA - The national FFA organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Iowa FFA Association
Executive Director: Scott Johnson, scott.johnson@iowaffa.com, 515-965-7376
Applied Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing
SkillsUSA - An applied method of instruction for preparing America’s high performance workers in public career and technical programs. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work: high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free-enterprise system and involvement in community service. SkillsUSA-Iowa
Executive Director: Kent Seuferer, statedirector@skillsusaiowa.org, 515-344-3888
Technology Student Association (TSA) - Fosters personal growth, leadership and opportunities in technology, innovation, design and engineering. Members apply and integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts through co-curricular activities, competitive events and related programs. Iowa Technology Students Association
Executive Director: Rhys South, rhys.south@johnston.k12.ia.us, 515-822-5135
Business, Finance, Marketing, and Management
Business Professionals of America (BPA) - The mission of BPA is to contribute to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, academic, citizenship and technological skills; prepares students to be effective associates and committed business leaders by educating, validating and motivating on an individual basis; to develop the business, communication, technical and leadership skills need to contribute and compete in the workplace today and tomorrow. Iowa Business Professionals of America
Executive Director: Deb Jones, djones@iowalakes.edu, 712-852-5241
DECA (formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America) - The mission of DECA is to enhance the co-curricular education of students who have an interest in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. DECA seeks to help students develop skills and competence for marketing, finance, hospitality, management and entrepreneurial careers, build self-esteem, experience leadership and practice community service. DECA is committed to the advocacy and growth of business and education partnerships. Iowa DECA
Executive Director: Courtney Westvold, director@iowadeca.org, 515-259-1718
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) - The mission of FBLA-PBL is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. Iowa FBLA-PBL
Executive Director: Kent Seuferer, kent@iowafbla.org, 850-499-5328
Health Sciences
HOSA - Future Health Professionals - The purpose of the HOSA organization is to develop leadership and technical HOSA skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Science Education instructional program.
Executive Director: Kent Seuferer, director@iowahosa.org, 515-523-0514
Human Services
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) - The mission of FCCLA is 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 live through character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge and career preparation. Iowa FCCLA
Executive Director: Vacant; Interim Sherry Vogel, director@iowafccla.org, 515-303-0774
Financial Guidance
Financial guidelines for CTSOs that have received Federal Perkins Grant Program funds have been established. These guidelines call for oversight by the Department. The Department monitors for fiscal compliance and verifies that requirements are met in order for the CTSO to receive Federal Perkins Grant Program (Perkins) funds.
Student Outcomes
Students participating in career and technical student organizations have the opportunity to develop and enhance their leadership and citizenship skills within the context of career and program interests which also enhances their occupational skills and future employability. These organizations provide students opportunities in a caring, secure environment to participate in leadership initiatives, and to enhance their awareness of the role of community service and responsibility to governmental affairs.
Activities are designed to provide opportunities for student achievement in sound decision-making, positive professional appearances and skill attainment. These experiences are enhanced through involvement of business, industry and labor in a climate of positive interaction and cooperation. For many students, this is the only leadership opportunity they will experience during their educational careers. Communities, states and the nation benefit, as well as the individual and their families.
Community Support
Producing viable, active citizens who are concerned about their professions and the welfare of their communities, states and nation is the positive product. Career and technical student organizations have an excellent reputation and years of success in Iowa.
Communities and businesses can provide support by serving as evaluators at state and national conferences, serving as guest speakers, providing opportunities for job shadowing or internships, and assisting in any way they and the organization agree upon.
Source: CTSO: Guide to Accessing Federal Perkins Funds For the Support of Career and Technical Student Organizations, 2008, Editor/Project Manager: Lyn Fiscus, Leadership Logistics, Contributing Editor/Writer: Alisha Dixon Hyslop, Assistant Director of Public Policy, Association for Career and Technical Education.
CTSO Advisor Academy
The CTSO Advisor Academy is an Iowa Department of Education supported initiative to provide training, resources and support for emerging CTSO programs. The program has 12 total video modules and is available entirely on demand, with videos released throughout the year.
Modules include:
- Introduction to CTSOs
- Introduction to Iowa's CTSOs
- Managing Perkins Dollars & Student Activity Funds with Your CTSO
- Membership Recruitment and Engagement
- Managing Chapter Meetings
- Integrating into the Classroom
- Electing and Supporting Chapter Officers
- Developing a Chapter Program of Work
- Crafting Community Service Projects
- Succeeding at Competitive Events
- Attending Conferences and Events
- Fundraising and Financial Leadership Activities
Most modules are accompanied by a resource document that highlights key points and guides advisors in future learning.
Register for the CTSO Advisor Academy - Modules will be emailed to registrants when released.
CTSO Resources
CTSO Sample Local Chapter Advisor Job Description