The document outlines how Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) such as DECA are supported through federal and state funding. It explains that state and federal legislators determine funding levels for CTE and are therefore the target audience. The presentation provides strategies for DECA chapters and state officers to educate and engage legislators to advocate for continued support of CTE and CTSOs.

1. Presentation Created by Micah Melling, CRVP
for 2011-2012

2.  To explain Career and Technical Education (CTE)
and Career and Technical Student Organizations
(CTSOs)
 To establish the importance of the presentation’s
topic
 To give information about the government’s
impact on CTE and CTSOs
 To specifically discuss why legislators are the
target audience
 To provide strategies for reaching out to legislators

3.  Career and Technical Education (CTE) prepares
students to be “college and career ready.”
 CTE helps students to develop employability skills,
core-academic skills, and job-specific skills.
 Examples of CTE classes: marketing, business
management, agriculture, welding, and auto
mechanics.

4.  CTE programs are the basis for Career and
Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs).
 CTSOs give students the opportunity to apply what
they have learned in the classroom to real-world
situations.
 DECA is one of ten CTSOs recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education.

5.  State and federal legislators appropriate funding
for CTE.
 Legislation that affects CTE also impacts CTSOs.
 If funding for CTE is reduced, CTSOs will be negatively
affected.
 If funding for CTE is increased, CTSOs will be more likely
to thrive.

6.  The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education
Act is the federal law the funds CTE.
 Currently, the Perkins Act provides approximately
$1.13 billion per fiscal year to be shared among
states.
 The programs, funding, and requirements in the
Perkins Act affect CTE programs throughout the
nation.
A PowerPoint presentation about
the Perkins Act can be found on
www.slideshare.net/decainc.

7.  Members of the United States Congress determine
the appropriation for the Perkins Act.
 They have the power to reduce it, to keep it the same, or
to increase it.

8.  The Office of Vocational and Adult Education
(OVAE) is the section of the U.S. Department of
Education that focuses on CTE.
 The OVAE distributes Perkins funds to states.
 A formula is used to determine how much money each
state should receive.
 They assist states in running their CTE programs.
 The OVAE also conducts year-end reviews with
states.

9.  Many state legislatures appropriate funding for
CTE.
 In many cases, the state-level funding for CTE
monetarily exceeds the amount of Perkins funding a
state receives.
 Please note that not all state legislatures provide
funding for CTE.
Each state legislature has a website,
which can be a great resource to use
when determining how to gain
legislators’ support.

10.  A state’s education department is part of its
government.
 State education departments operate through funding
appropriated by their state legislature.
 In 2008, state education departments were
required to submit a State Plan to the U.S.
Department of Education. The State Plan outlined
the state’s strategy for using their federal Perkins
funds.

11.  State education departments distribute CTE-
earmarked funds to school districts.
 This funding helps school districts operate their CTE
programs.
 Many CTSOs are administered through state
education departments.
 They provide a state advisor and offer general support.

12.  After the 2006 reauthorization of the Perkins Act,
school districts were required to develop a Local
Plan.
 The Local Plan explained the school district’s
strategy for using their Perkins funds.

13.  State and federal legislators ultimately determine
the level of funding for CTE.
 Therefore, legislators are the target audience
because they play a large role in determining the
future of CTE and, by association, CTSOs.

14. 1. To educate them about CTE and CTSOs,
particularly DECA
2. To show them the value of CTE and CTSOs
3. To convince them to pledge their support for CTE
and CTSOs
4. To interest them in becoming involved with DECA

15.  Appointments
 Set up a meeting with your state legislators when they
are in the district.
 Take chapter officers to your state’s capitol for a visit
with your legislators.
 When your U.S. Representative is in the district, request
to meet with him/her to discuss the benefits of CTE and
CTSOs.

16.  Involvement with the Chapter
 Invite your state legislators to a chapter meeting.
 Ask your state legislators to help students prepare for
competition.
▪ Read written projects.
▪ Critique presentations.
▪ Be a judge for practice role plays.
 Welcome them to join your chapter as a “professional
member.”
Helpful Hint: Whenever you meet with your legislators,
give them something to take with them (e.g. a chapter
newsletter or an informational handout).

17.  State Congressional Advisory Board (CAB)
 Create a nonpartisan CAB for members of your state’s
General Assembly.
 Develop a signature form and informational letter.
 Ask legislators to sign if they support CTE and DECA.
 Send a thank-you letter if they join.
 Invite members of your State CAB to judge at district
competitions and/or the state competition.
What exactly is a CAB? A CAB is a Helpful Hint: Partner with at least
nonpartisan group of legislators who are one state legislator who is willing to
supportive of CTE and DECA. That’s all! help start and grow your State CAB.

18.  National Congressional Advisory Board (CAB)
 Send a CAB invitation to the members of Congress from
your state.
 View sample invitations in the “Political Outreach Kit”
on DECA’s SlideShare Account.
 Mail a thank-you letter if they join.
 If they don’t join, follow up with a phone call or an email
and offer to provide more information.

19.  Activities at the State Capitol
 Organize a proclamation signing with your Governor’s
office.
▪ This can be for “DECA Week,” “Global Entrepreneurship Week,”
or “CTE Month.”
 As a state officer team, go to your state’s capitol and
visit with legislators.
 Set up a day for DECA members to go to your state’s
capitol and meet their legislators.
Helpful Hint: The Association for Career and Technical Education
(ACTE) is present in all 50 states. Your state’s ACTE can help be a
helpful resource when coordinating activities at your state capital.

20.  Informational Documents
 Develop a statewide DECA newsletter to give to
legislators.
 Give legislators a polished “pride points” document
about your state association of DECA.
Helpful Hints:
1). Before meeting with
legislators, develop a formal
document of “talking points”
to use.
2). Encourage legislators to
visit deca.org as well as your
state association’s website.

21.  CTE and CTSOs are vital parts of the nation’s
educational system. These educational
opportunities prepare students to be “college and
career ready.”
 CTE is federally funded by the Perkins Act. Many
state legislatures also appropriate funding for CTE.
 State and federal legislators ultimately determine
the level of funding for CTE; therefore, they are the
target audience.

22.  The Office of Vocational and Adult Education is the
section of the U.S. Department of Education that
focuses on CTE.
 State education departments determine a
direction for their state’s CTE programs, distribute
funds to local recipients, and often provide state
advisors to administer CTSOs.
 School districts determine how to most effectively
use the funds they have been given.

23.  To preserve a bright future for DECA, chapter
members and state officers must reach out to
legislators.
 Legislators should be invited to CTSO events and
asked to openly pledge their support for CTE.
 With more supportive legislators, CTE and CTSOs
will have a more secure future.

24.  Three other political outreach resources can be
found on DECA’s SlideShare Account.
 A “DECA and Politics” document
 A “Political Outreach Kit”
 A “Perkins Act” PowerPoint

25.  Email Central Region Vice President Micah Melling.
 decavpmicah@gmail.com.
 After May of 2012, contact John Fistolera.
 john_fistolera@deca.org