CTE ADVISOR DISCUSSION + PREPARATION GUIDE PAGE 8 8 LEADING THE STUDENT DISCUSSION Help Students Think Through the Message Ask open questions, allow silence, invite several voices, and help the group decide what belongs in the final message. DISCUSSION SEQUENCE 1 EXPERIENCE What are students seeing and experiencing in their programs and chapters? 2 PATTERN Which experiences are individual and which show a broader access or quality issue? 3 EVIDENCE What can the group verify through district data, meeting agendas, program records, or a trusted public source? 4 DECISION MAKER Who controls the policy, budget, rule, program, or partnership involved? 5 REQUEST What specific action would improve the situation? 6 FOLLOW UP What answer, commitment, or timeline will the group request? GUIDED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS • Which part of our CTE and SkillsUSA experience is working well and should be protected? • Who is not receiving the same opportunity, and what barrier is in the way? • What does the problem look like in a student’s day, schedule, transportation, costs, equipment, or access to an advisor? • What funding source or decision process is connected to the issue? • What could be accomplished this school year, and what requires a longer-term change? • What would a respectful response sound like if another person disagrees? • Which student voices are missing from this discussion? FACILITATION SAFEGUARDS • Do not pressure a student to disclose financial hardship, disability, immigration status, family circumstances, trauma, or other private information. • Offer a choice of speaking, recording notes, researching, greeting, or following up. • Correct stereotypes and unsupported claims. Focus on programs, systems, resources, and outcomes rather than blaming individuals. • Follow school and district requirements for travel, media, photography, supervision, and contact with public officials. • Prepare an adult to step in only for safety, logistics, or a factual correction that cannot wait. Return the conversation to students promptly. SkillsUSA Texas Advisors | Updated September 15, 2026