Please consider using the following informatin when Advocating for the SLDC and SkillsUSA.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CENTER FUNDING

IMPACT TO OREGON CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

The Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means recently released their 2009-11 Recommended Budget.  The budget calls for the elimination of the Student Leadership Development Center (SLDC) from the Oregon Department of Education budget, impacts the following Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), and delivers a devastating blow to Career and Technical Education in Oregon.

• AOFC (Associated Oregon Forestry Clubs),
• DECA (An Association of Marketing Students),
• FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America),
• FFA (An Organization of Agriculture Science and Technology Students),
• FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America),
• HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), and
• SkillsUSA (An Association of Students in Technical, Skilled and Service Studies).

FUNDING IMPACT

The elimination of the SLDC and CTSOs would result in the loss of:

·         The more than half a million dollars in matching funds represented by in-kind and real dollars contributed during the last two years.

• Annual volunteer efforts exceeding the equivalent of 22 full time employees working 12 months per year.
• A total of almost two million dollars in cash, non-cash and volunteer contributions.
• Over $200,000 in college and university scholarships from national organizations and business partners during the next two years, for Oregon high schools students.

The total amount lost to Oregon’s Career and Technical Education during the coming biennium exceeds 2.2 million dollars, or the equivalent of almost three times the state investment!

PROGRAM IMPACT

• The Student Leadership Development Center would cease to exist July 1, 2009.
• Oregon would lose an integral part of Career and Technical Education.
• Services to all of Oregon’s Career and Technical Student Organizations would cease immediately.  Without the leadership and work of the SLDC staff, two or three of the organizations may be able to continue to exist, but without staffing would face paralyzing limitations on services and resources.
• Annually, over 10,000 student CTSO members would be impacted, in addition to the uncounted others who participate in organization activities without official membership, usually due to finances.
• Over 400 teachers from virtually every high school in Oregon would be impacted.
• Student opportunities to meet Oregon Diploma Requirements would be lost.  The programs and activities of Oregon’s CTSOs directly correlate with Oregon’s Career Related Learning Standards and Essential Skills as adopted by the State Board of Education.
• Students would lose the opportunities for student leadership as a major component of their program of study including leadership preparation, citizenship, character development and technical skills. The quality of Oregon’s programs is exemplified in the 13 National Officers produced through the SLDC in the last 8 years.
• Student participation in national leadership activities and conferences would be lost.
• Oregon would lose a valuable method of engaging students in their learning, improving retention in school and reducing drop out rates.
• A major loss in the linkages between schools and business and industry would result.  Leadership organizations act as intermediary brokers of work-based learning in many schools. Business and industry linkages create opportunities for students to participate in work-based learning opportunities and to meet career related learning standards and diploma requirements.
• Loss of the CTSOs would eliminate leadership and skill development conferences, leadership training, career development events, etc., making it impossible for students to participate in state fair, state conferences, regional competitions and national conferences.
• Major reduction in the linkages between schools and communities would occur. CTSOs connect students to communities, service learning, and community services projects.
• A reduction of opportunities for schools to integrate academic and work-based learning skills as a part of Oregon’s efforts to increase student achievement and better prepare students for their next steps in life.

Please contact the State Office with questions or for Advocacy Ideas.