Student Organizations

CTE’s co-curricular Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) organizations are one avenue for students to experience and develop leadership skills while in high school. Students enrolled in CTE programs are eligible to become members of a CTSO based on program availability within the school district, along with knowledgeable advisor to ensure quality oversight of the organization related to the program area. The following CTSO have been established for students in Fargo Public Schools. Detailed information for each organizations can be found on their state or national website.

• DECA (marketing education)
• FBLA (business education)
• FCCLA (family and consumer science)
• FFA (agriculture education)
• HOSA (future health professionals)
• SkillsUSA (automotive, construction, health sciences, and manufacturing)
• TSA (technology and engineering, information technology)

CTSOs engage students in leadership development through a focus on career and technical education (CTE) applications related to their program area’s content and specific occupational skills. Emphasis is placed on leadership roles, goal setting, consensus building, and project development. Professionalism, integrity, and ethics are foundational to the each organization’s beliefs and required in their interactions with peers and the community. These skills and values are regarded as vital standards for student leaders and future employment.
 
For each CTSO, a local, state, and national component for leadership training and competition is available. Students travel around the State to interact with like organizations to collaborate in leadership training and compete in program events. Beyond their leadership development, service learning activities are required to give back to their schools and community, and as a mechanism for fundraising for national competitions. In some cases, CTSOs may continue into postsecondary programs and leadership opportunities.