The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) names learners as required collaborators in state plan development and the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) process. Often, states and districts require intentional support and guidance to meaningfully leverage learner voice in the design, delivery, and improvement of Career Technical Education (CTE) programs and policies. Learner-led research is one strategy for developing intentional infrastructure that cultivates learners’ knowledge of research skills to design, implement, and analyze findings that can inform the CTE programs in which they participate.

This session will feature learners from the Kentucky Student Voice Team, who will share their experiences conducting learner-led research as part of a pilot with Advance CTE, the Kentucky Department of Education, and Fayette County Public Schools. Together, they’ll highlight strategies and lessons for leveraging learner voice in CTE.