Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are non-profit career-based groups that offer co-curricular resources and opportunities for students in CTE pathways to develop knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events and competitions. CTSOs embed communication and leadership skills into their programming.
CTSOs assist districts with meeting the quality indicator in their Kentucky Perkins Plan.
Quality Definition under Perkins V (Secondary)
Be of sufficient size, which offer a sequence of four or more earned technical credits;
Have a post-secondary connection (dual enrollment, dual credit, articulation agreement);
Have an active advisory panel, Have a certified and appropriately endorsed teacher;
Have a co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) that provides students the opportunity to engage in leadership development activities (beginning in the 2021-2022 academic year); and
Be supported by current labor market data.
Currently, the department recognizes the following
eight CTSOs that support career and technical education programs in Kentucky:
Prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.
Program Area: Business and Marketing Program
Area and Law and Public Safety
Provides opportunities for high school students to explore teaching and develop the necessary skills and knowledge to take their first steps on the path to accomplishe teaching.
Program Area: Education and Training Program Area
Inspires and prepares students to become community=minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.
Program Area: Business and Marketing Program Area and Law and Public Safety
Offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life. It is the only CTSO with family as its central focus and is integrated into Family and Consumer Sciences education.
Program Area: Family and Consumer Sciences Education Program Area
A student-led organization whose mission is to make positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Program Area: Agriculture Program Area
Kentucky HOSA is a student-led organization. HOSA's mission is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience.
Program Area: Health Science Education Program Area
SkillsUSA Kentucky
A partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce by preparing students for careers in trade, technical and skilled service.
Program Areas: Construction Technology, Computer Science, JROTC, Law and Public Safety,
Media Arts, Transportation and Manufacturing Technology Program Areas
Enhances personal development, leadership and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), through intra-curricular activities, competitions and related programs.
Program Areas: Engineering Technology Education, Computer Science, Aviation and Media Arts Program
Areas