Career & Technical Student Organizations

Career & Technical Student Organizations

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) enhance student learning through contextual instruction, leadership and personal development, applied learning, and real world application. CTSOs work as an integral component of the classroom curriculum and instruction, 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 Education (CTE) program.

Current CTSOs

BPA - Business Professionals of America 
DECA - Emerging Leaders and Entrepreneurs
FCCLA - Family, Career and Community Leaders of America
FFA - National FFA Organization
HOSA - Future Health Professionals
ProStart - National Restaurant Association Education Foundation
SkillsUSA - Preparing for leadership in the world of work
TAFE - Texas Association of Future Educators
 

CTSO Guidelines

Membership

Students applying for membership must be currently enrolled in an approved CTE course for the CTSO. In addition, each organization may have its own criteria for membership.

Student Competition/Conferences

Membership in the student organization does not guarantee the student’s inclusion in any trips, conferences or competitions. In addition to existing required criteria, such as UIL No Pass/No Play rules and "active" membership, students must also meet the following criteria to be eligible to compete/travel.

• Students must be currently enrolled in one of the approved courses for that CTSO.
• Students are required to pay their registration fees for Area/Regional competitions. These fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• All Plano ISD travel guidelines must be followed.

Guidelines for CTE Course Enrollment Exemption Process

A student who was a member of a CTSO in the previous school year who is not currently enrolled in an approved course for their CTSO may be eligible for an exception due to:

• No additional approved course is offered on the student's current campus other than courses already taken by the student, or
• No time in the student's schedule to take an approved course due to graduation requirements.

To request a course exemption, a student must:
1. Request the CTSO exemption form from their Sponsor/Advisor
2. Complete and submit the form by the deadline designated by their advisor

The following individuals will review the exemption request to determine if eligibility is met:
1. Campus Advisor/Sponsor
2. Campus Administrator
3. CTE Coordinator
 

Sponsor/Advisor Guidelines

• Each campus CTSO will be actively sponsored by an advisor from that campus
• Sponsor/advisor must be the primary teacher of record for an aligned course
• Sponsor/advisor must travel on trips when students from their chapter are participating
• In emergency circumstances, a campus staff member or administrator can be assigned to travel in the place of the sponsor/advisor
• All District employees shall perform their duties in accordance with state and federal law, District policy, and ethical standards