Career and Technical Education Student Organizations, commonly referred to as CTSOs, are youth organizations designed to support students in career and technical education (CTE) programs. CTE helps prepare high school graduates for the next step, whether it is postsecondary education or entry into the workforce. Rigorous academic content tied to technical subject matter, as well as internships and other cooperative work experiences, are hallmarks of CTE programs. Through these co-curricular programs of study, students get a head start on their career preparation.
CTSOs are considered an integral part of CTE; they help students develop the technical and leadership skills that will enable them to succeed in their career paths. CTSOs provide unique programs of career and leadership development, motivation, and recognition for students enrolled in CTE programs, including co-curricular, service-learning, and student leadership opportunities.
Successful projects will:
- Relate to the development of co-curricular activities;
- Relate to the development of service-learning projects;
- Relate to the development of student leadership skills;
- Relate to the development and/or strengthening of a state-level board or directors and/or other organizational strengthening;
- Relate to the costs associated with state-level conferences and competitions; or
- Relate to providing a stipend to state directors.
$115,000 was available in funding for FY17.