Eligibility Verification Requirements for Specific Level 3 Events
STAR Event eligibility is defined for each event in the Competitive Events Manual produced by National FCCLA. It is the responsibility of the Chapter Adviser to ensure each member meets the eligibility requirement for his or her competitive event before submitting online registration to compete in a STAR Event at the State Leadership Conference.
In three STAR Events (Baking & Pastry, Culinary Math Management, and Early Childhood Education), additional verification is required due to the specified industry-training program participation. Per the National FCCLA guidelines, the Montana Office of Public Instruction, is responsible for determining approval for Family & Consumer Sciences industry training programs. This verification is to determine event eligibility only and has no bearing on membership affiliation. It is for competition purposes only.
An additional verification request is to be submitted through the following online form and completed by the chapter adviser. The online form must be submitted for each student registered to compete in one of the four events lists below by close of State Leadership Conference registration. Upon submission of the form, the chapter adviser will be contacted within 24 hours by the State Leadership Team with an approval, a denial or with a request for additional information.
Level 3 STAR Events Requiring Industry Training Eligibility:
(1) Baking & Pastry, (2) Culinary Math Management: Eligible participants are members who are currently or have been enrolled in a Family and Consumer Sciences culinary arts industry training program, as determined by their state department of education. Students enrolled in general food and nutrition courses not preparing them for a career or employment in culinary arts are not eligible.
(3) Early Childhood Education: Eligible participants are members who are currently or have been enrolled in a Family and Consumer Sciences early childhood education training program, as determined by their state department of education. Students enrolled in general child or human development courses not preparing them for careers or employment in early childhood education are not eligible
If a member meets the four required elements, they are deemed eligible to compete in the appropriate Level 3 event listed above.
Four Required Elements of an Industry Training Program within the FCS Program:
1. An OPI approved Montana Career Pathway in the corresponding area: Education, Hospitality & Tourism, or Human Services.
- The Career Pathway must also be included in the National FCCLA membership affiliation system.
2. The member (student) must be enrolled in the second course in a direct sequence or higher in the content area.
- Examples: Culinary Arts & Advanced Culinary OR Culinary Arts I & Culinary Arts II
3. Participation in work-based learning experiences that align to the Montana Career Pathway
- Work-based learning (WBL) experiences are defined as sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent practicable, or simulated environments at an educational institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks of a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction.
- Members must have at least 25 cumulative WBL hours within the Career Pathway aligned to the event; this may be tracked from grade 9 to current; these hours must be beyond traditional classroom instruction
4. Completion of a minimum of one applicable Industry Recognized Credential within the Montana Career Pathway by the member
- Hospitality & Tourism: nationally recognized food safety certification
- Example: ServSafe Food Handlers or Food Manager certification
- Education/Human Services: First Aid/CPR
- Other: other credentials will be considered in alignment with the Montana Career Pathway
If a member meets the four required elements, they are deemed eligible to compete in the appropriate Level 3 event listed above.
