Recently, Frisco Independent School District (FISD) has decided that for the 2025-2026 school year, the number of participants in district competitions for Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) will be capped at 100. This decision will cause a ripple effect that negatively impacts hundreds of students in several different ways. The limiting of CTSO competitors can strip away opportunities from students that allow them to grow, find purpose, gain experience, and prepare for college.
CTSOS, or Career and Technical Student Organizations, include Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), Business Professionals of America (BPA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Future Farmers of America (FFA), among others, and explore a wide range of topics and skills that are beneficial for students. Competing in CTSO organizations has a multitude of benefits for students which range from emotional benefits to exciting opportunities. Being involved in CTSO organizations like DECA can motivate students to become more involved in their school, or their community outside of school. It encourages students to complete projects that inform others of major issues or help struggling businesses.
Reedy’s CTSO organizations have experienced particular success in sending students to competitions. In fact, Reedy’s DECA is sending 94 students to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC), which is 10% of all Texas DECA ICDC qualifiers. But these students are just the ones that advanced past state, after competing in districts Reedy had 98 qualifying teams who competed at state. This is 215 individuals, which means FISD’s policy of only 100 competitors would reduce the number of people able to go to the state level by over 50%.
Furthermore, competing in CTSO organizations has been proven to provide many benefits. For example, the leadership development that students undergo by competing in events can help prepare them for the future. Students can learn how to communicate better, develop more professionalism, and improve their time management. CTSO conferences provide the opportunity of going to professional conventions which could be beneficial to them for their future careers. Being involved in CTSOS can also help them make a more informed decision of what they want their career to be, as many competitions are based on real careers and their roles. CTSOS also provides more than just individual benefits, as many projects are centered around community service. The core values of CTSOS encourage volunteering and giving back to the community. Without this encouragement, many students would not be as charitable to the community around them.
The opportunities that CTSOS provide, can improve a students future. Colleges greatly appreciate student involvement in CTSOS, as it reflects a students dedication to their education and community. Achieving success in CTSO organizations can indicate that a student will also be successful in other professional environments. But if CTSO participation is limited, then this can also limit the opportunities given to students. This may not be a big deal to some students, but for those who are minorities and do not have as many opportunities, this can be detrimental to their future. If there are fewer people who can compete in CTSOS, then it will be difficult for these minority students to experience the same opportunities that others were able to experience before them. Competing in CTSOS can help link minority students with influential professionals who can help get them a job in the future, or it can earn students scholarships to colleges they would not be able to afford otherwise. But the limitation of CTSO competitors can take all of that away.
But what can we do to help? By signing a petition or consistently emailing FISD board members the decision to limit CTSO competitors could be reversed or changed to have a less damaging impact. Hundreds of students, including minorities, can have their lives changed because of CTSOS. So even if the limiting of CTSO competitors does not directly affect you, by trying to stop this decision from becoming a reality you can help change their lives for the better.
Works Cited:
Nesmith, Jacelyn, and Jacelyn Nesmith. “CTE Month: Celebrating Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs).” Icevonline.com, 13 Feb. 2024, www.icevonline.com/blog/benefits-of-ctsos.
