What are CTSOs
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are student-governed organizations that offer leadership programs and competitive events, which reflect current curriculum standards and competencies for the instructional programs they serve within Career, Technical, Academic and Agricultural Education.
Purpose of CTSOs
According to the National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations, CTSOs are purposed as follows:
- To enhance student learning through contextual instruction, leadership and personal development, applied learning, and real world application;
- To serve as an integral component of the classroom curriculum and instruction, while building upon employability and career skills and concepts through the application and engagement of students in hands-on demonstrations and real life and/or work experiences through a Career and Technical (CTE) program;
- To help guide students in developing a career path, a program of study, and provide opportunities in gaining the skills and abilities needed to be successful in those careers through CTSO activities, programs and competitive events; and
- To provide students an opportunity to hold leadership positions at the local, state, and national levels and attend leadership development conferences to network with other students as well as business and industry partners.
Information retrieved from ctsos.org, https://www.ctsos.org/ctsos-2/, and other sources.
CTSO FACTS
Goals
- Academic and Career Achievement
- Leadership Development
- Professional Development
- Community Service
Government Authorization of CTSOs
- The United States Department of Education (USDOE) endorsed Career and Technical Student Organizations as a critical component of an effective Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program. CTSOs are authorized by the U.S. Congress in the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act.
Benefits of joining a CTSO
- Enhanced Student Learning
- Career Preparation
- Leadership Development