TAFE AS A CTSO

Steps to Insure that Career and Technical Education Students Participating in TAFE Receive Federal Perkins Support

TAFE is now a recognized Career and Technical Student Organization (like FFA, DECA and FCCLA). This change allows districts to use federal Career and Technical Education funding to support student participation in TAFE professional development activities.

Resources / References:

  •  Federal Use of Funds Guidelines
  • Letter from TEA Recognizing TAFE as a CTSO
  • Link to the US Department of Education webpage referencing our national affiliate (Educators Rising) as a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/cte/vso.html
 Step 1

Review federal use guidelines and crosswalk these guidelines with planned TAFE professional development activities at the Local, Regional, State and National Level. Prepare a preliminary budget to help determine cost of professional development activities in which your CTE students are planning to participate.
Step 2  Talk to your local CTE Directors and notify them that TAFE is now a CTSO and CTE students participating in TAFE are now eligible for federal funding support for professional development. Reference the US Dept. of Education website link listed above and the letter from TEA.
Step 3

Ask them about district guidelines and procedures for utilizing Perkins money for CTE students. These guidelines should be consistent with the federal use of funds guidelines. District CTE Directors are responsible for administering the district CTE budget. Speak to him/her about the budget that you have created to clearly convey the costs of professional development activities that you have planned for your CTE students.
 Step 4   

Talk with sponsors of other organizations which are established CTSOs (FFA, DECA, FCCLA, HOSA, FBLA, TSA, SkillsUSA, BPA). Ask them their perspectives about how they manage CTSO funding guidelines and procedures.
Step 5

E-mail the TAFE State Program Director with questions or concerns which you encounter in your discussions with the CTE Director and Principal. We are here to support you.