Kentucky FCCLA leaders urge expanded CTE support in Senate Education Committee testimony

Two Kentucky student leaders told the Senate Education Committee that career and technical education and CTSOs (career and technical student organizations) deserve sustained and expanded state support.

Caden Dunn, state president of Kentucky FCCLA, told the committee he represents "over 11,000 FCCLA members across our Commonwealth" and urged lawmakers to "continue and boldly expand your support for career and technical education and organizations like FCCLA." He added, "CTE is not an alternative path. It is a powerful path," and cited participation statistics he said were drawn from the association's records.

Danae Owens and other student leaders described FCCLA's role in developing leadership, classroom-to-career pathways and teaching life skills. Dunn cited program outcomes and membership numbers, and he urged increased state funding for high-demand CTE pathways, internships, apprenticeships, employer partnerships, and incentives to recruit and retain CTE teachers.

Committee members praised the students and asked for membership figures and school affiliations; the students answered and received encouragement. Senators said the students' testimony reinforced the case for funding and supporting CTE programs statewide.

The testimony occurred immediately before the committee considered SB 152. While the students urged expanded funding and access for CTE, the committee's bill discussion that followed focused on school governance and decision-making authority.