Gaining direct input from learners, families, educators, employers, and administrators, regular users and beneficiaries of the Career Technical Education (CTE) system, can offer the most accurate and authentic information on the successes and challenges of program design and implementation..
Doing so requires intentionality and consistency, using tools and processes that meet stakeholders where they are and maximize their engagement as required by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V). Focus groups are one engagement method to gather highly valuable and specific qualitative data to close enrollment and performance gaps.
This publication shares practical guidance, tools, and ready-made questions to design and facilitate focus groups effectively.
This resource also includes real-life examples from the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and the Louisiana Community Technical College System (LCTCS), two of the states that participated in Advance CTE’s technical assistance to enhance communications and structures for CTE program recruitment.
This resource was developed through the generous support of the Siemens Foundation.
