CTE STUDENT ADVOCACY QUICK REFERENCE PAGE 9 SkillsUSA Texas Student Leaders | Updated September 15, 2026 9 KEEP WATCHING Forecast Issues to Track • Fiscal year 2027 Perkins funding and whether Congress changes the proposed federal administration of CTE programs between the U S Departments of Education and Labor. • Texas implementation results for the Applied Sciences Pathway, including participating districts, available certificates, transportation, student costs, and access across regions. • Whether Texas and local districts create dependable CTSO support for membership access, advisors, leadership development, competitions, materials, and travel. • Rules and guidance for two industry-based certification examination reimbursements, career readiness assessments, and the value of credentials used in accountability. • New CTE instructional materials and TEKS entering classrooms in the 2026 to 2027 school year, plus any future review or adoption decisions. • State budget proposals for CTE weighted allotments, regional and rural pathways, teacher pipelines, dual credit, work-based learning, and student transportation. QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT THE DOCKET • What CTE or workforce bill, rule, budget item, or hearing will your office work on next? • When is the next public deadline, and how can SkillsUSA students provide testimony or data? • Will your proposal name CTSOs and fund the costs required for equitable student participation? • How will you prevent a federal or state administrative change from interrupting funds or services already reaching classrooms? • What result should students expect by the end of the school year, and when should we follow up? STUDENT MEETING KIT A Simple Meeting Flow 1 INTRODUCE Say your name, school, city, CTE program, and student leadership role. 2 SHOW Give one concrete example of what you learned or accomplished. 3 EXPLAIN Describe one barrier and who it affects. Use a number if you have a reliable one. 4 ASK Request one action the official can take within their authority. 5 CONFIRM Ask what happens next, who will handle it, and when you should follow up. SAMPLE ONE-MINUTE FEDERAL PITCH Good morning. My name is [name], and I represent SkillsUSA Texas at [school] in [city]. In [CTE program or SkillsUSA event], I [specific experience or result]. That experience helped me build technical, workplace, and leadership skills. Students in our area still face [barrier], which keeps some of them from completing the same pathway or participating in SkillsUSA. I am asking you to support stable, increased Perkins funding, paid work based learning, and dedicated support for CTSOs so schools can provide current equipment, qualified teachers, transportation, and strong employer partnerships. Will you support that request, and may our group follow up with your education staff? SAMPLE ONE MINUTE TEXAS OR LOCAL PITCH Good morning. My name is [name], and I represent SkillsUSA Texas at [school] in [city]. My CTE program and SkillsUSA chapter helped me [specific experience or result]. The biggest barrier for students here is [transportation, schedule, fee, waitlist, equipment, advisor, or placement gap]. I am asking you to [specific state or district action, including a recurring CTSO budget if relevant]. This would allow more students to complete a pathway and build the skills employers expect. What can your office or the district do this year, and when should we check back?