Law and Public Safety (LPS) Newsletter

August 2025

Welcome Back, LPS Team!

As we begin a new school year, thank you for the energy, expertise and consistency you bring to your students and programs.

This year’s challenge coin theme, “Strength in Service,” is a powerful reminder that the impact we make often starts with small, steady acts of leadership, support and commitment.

Here’s to a year of purposeful work, meaningful connections and continued growth – for both you and your students.

Have a great school year!

Erica

A group photo of Law and Public Safety instructions attending the 2025 KACTE conference

Thank you for attending the 2025 KACTE Conference!

It was wonderful to connect with so many of you at this year’s Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education (KACTE) Summer Conference. Your engagement, ideas and collaboration truly showcased the strength of our LPS community.

For all in attendance and those unable to come, please take time to review the LPS State Consultant Update session PowerPoint, which includes important dates, resources and professional development opportunities to support you this school year. This PowerPoint also can be found in Google Classroom, under the KACTE section.

2025 Attendees: KACTE sent the conference evaluation email on Monday, Aug. 18. Please be sure to complete this evaluation form (approximately 2 minutes) to receive your professional development certificate for attending.

2026 KACTE Conference

SAVE THE DATE: July 20-23, 2026, (Monday-Thursday), pre-conferences, if offered, will take place on Monday, July 20, with pre-registration to be required when completing your KACTE registration.

For conference session suggestions, please email Erica Settelen.

LAPSEN and ACTE Vision Conferences

Nashville, Tenn.

• LAPSEN Conference: Dec. 7-9: Sunday, Dec. 7, pre-conference sessions only (additional cost); LAPSEN Conference: Dec. 8-9
• ACTE Vision Conference: Dec. 9-12

Kagan Cooperative Learning Training

Registration is closing Sept. 8; only 15 seats are remaining!

• Who: CTE instructors
• What: Kagan Cooperative Learning Day 1 and Day 2
• When: Sept. 25-26: 8 a.m.-3:15 p.m. ET 
• Where: UK Center for Next Generation Leadership, 1737 Russell Cave Road, Lexington

Why: Kagan Structures are research-based instructional strategies designed to boost student engagement, collaboration and academic achievement. By implementing the Essential 5 (like RallyRobin and Quiz-Quiz-Trade), teachers can create active, student-centered classrooms where every learner participates. These tools support classroom management, build communication skills, and enhance learning outcomes – making them a valuable addition to any LPS teacher’s instructional toolbox.

Registration Information: Please complete this Kagan Cooperative Learning Training Interest Form to indicate your interest.

Cost: OCTE will be covering the full $399 registration cost for up to 37 CTE teachers. Schools/districts will need to cover all substitute, travel and meal-related expenses.

More about Kagan:

• What is Kagan?
• The Essential 5 – Starting Point for Kagan

This information is also posted in the 2025-2026 school year professional development section of Google Classroom and the LPS website.

LPS and health science instructors watch as Lt. Brent Billings demonstrates American Heart Association Basic Life Support protocols for his Instructor certification test during 2024 training.

ICYMI: DATE CHANGE for Fall 2025 AHA BLS Training Dates 

Law and Public Safety instructors interested in receiving American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor Certification can register now for the Nov. 20 or Nov. 21 training dates.

A confirmation on your assigned date to attend will be sent directly via email. The original October training date has been canceled and replaced with the November dates to align with AHA BLS updates being released in October.

The training will be held at the Kentucky Department of Education, 300 Sower Blvd., Frankfort.

Teachers in attendance also will be able to receive their Stop the Bleed training and certification.

KDE's Office of Career and Technical Education will cover the cost of the in-person BLS Course, in-person BLS Instructor Course AND the BLS Instructor Card.

Districts will need to cover:

Kentucky Fire Commission Methodology Courses for Fire Science Instructors

Attention fire science instructors: Several Instructional Methodology Update VILT (Virtual Instructor Led Training) courses have been scheduled through the end of the year to help meet the Kentucky Fire Instructor recertification requirement of eight hours of Category BB Methodology every four years.

This is a convenient option to stay compliant. To register, use the links below to sign up anytime before the course begins.

Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with the course link (check your spam folder if it doesn’t appear). Please note: Participants must keep their cameras on and remain attentive throughout the course, per Kentucky Fire Commission VILT rules.

Upcoming Courses:

• Methodology Update Course 9/24 (BB0003)
  
  • When: Sept. 24, 6-10 p.m. ET
  • Register for the Sept. 24 Methodology Update course
  Methodology Update Course 10/19 (BB0003)
  
  • When: Oct. 19, 6-10 p.m. ET
  • Register for the Oct. 19 Methodology Update course
  Methodology Update Course 11/24 (BB0003)
  
  • When: Nov. 24, 6-10 p.m. ET
  • Register for the Nov. 24 Methodology Update course
  Methodology Update Course 12/3 (BB0003)
  • When: Dec. 3, 6-10 p.m. ET
  • Register for the Dec. 3 Methodology Update course 

This information has been shared via email to all fire science instructors. If you have questions, please contact Casey Hall.

Need Classroom Management Support?

Looking to refine your classroom management techniques? Harry and Rosemary Wong offer an interactive eLearning course designed to help educators structure and organize their classrooms effectively. Sign-up for the Wong Classroom Management course today if you're interested in taking advantage of this training!

Through engaging videos, practical assignments and real-world examples, you'll develop a personalized classroom management plan to foster a positive learning environment.​

Course Highlights:

• Eight comprehensive modules covering essential classroom management strategies.

• Access to effective teaching videos and testimonials from practicing educators.

• Creation of a personalized classroom management plan binder.

• 90-day access to course materials for flexible learning.​

Final Call: Street Law In-Person PD – We Need Your Input!

We’re excited about the possibility of hosting an in-person Street Law Professional Development Workshop for Pre-Law and/or LE Services instructors, but we need more interest to move forward. So far, only two teachers have responded and without additional demand, we won’t be able to offer this opportunity.

The workshop will feature active, student-centered strategies focused on law-related education, plus time for collaboration and planning. Participants also will gain access to hundreds of free classroom resources from Street Law.

• Location: KDE, 300 Sower Blvd., Frankfort
• Date: To be determined based on interest (spring semester, 2026)
• Cost: OCTE will cover teacher registration for up to 30 participants. Districts/schools will need to cover travel and sub costs.

If you are interested in the in-person Street Law Professional Development Workshop, complete this short interest form by Friday, Oct. 3 to help us determine whether we can host the event.

Learn more about the Street Law approach to teaching on their website.

Pre-Law Pathway Instructors Interest Survey: A Day in Government 

We’re excited to explore hosting a Day in Government experience for Law and Public Safety and Pre-Law pathway students at the Kentucky State Capitol in February 2026!

Before we pursue funding, we need your feedback. Please complete the Day in Government interest form to help us gauge participation, potential student numbers, funding needs and if you have a student who might be willing to speak at the event.

The deadline to respond is Friday, Sept. 19. Please complete the form even if you’re not interested so we can gather an accurate headcount.

Thank you for helping us plan this exciting opportunity for your pre-law students!

FY26 CTE Innovation and Support Grant Opportunity

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Office of Career and Technical Education is excited to announce the FY26 CTE Innovation and Support Request for Applications (RFA). This grant is designed to foster innovation in new or emerging career fields within CTE schools, CTE programs in comprehensive high schools, and area technology centers.

• Grant Applications Due: By 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 20

• Award Amount: $100,000 per awarded school

• Matching Funds Requirement: None

A Technical Assistance Session will be held on Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. ET.

I encourage you to review this opportunity and consider applying. This funding can provide meaningful support for expanding innovation and strengthening your CTE programs.

Law and Public Safety Website Is Live

The Law and Public Safety (LPS) website is designed to make accessing key resources even easier by featuring some of the most commonly used items for quicker navigation. This resource also houses information for industry partners and interested instructors. It can serve as helpful guidance to your school administrators and counselors as well.

Please note: Our Google Classroom will remain the primary repository for instructional resources, but the new website offers a streamlined way to find essential tools and updates to support your work and help your students excel in their LPS pathways.

Adecco Youth Employment Solutions Work-Based Learning Program, KDE Work-Based Learning Resources

The Adecco Youth Employment Solutions Work-Based Learning Program can support you in overcoming barriers when seeking employment opportunities for your Law and Public Safety (LPS) pathway students. Some of the common barriers may include:

• Child Labor Laws: This training will walk you through the child labor laws, explain the “exemptions for bona-fide student learners,” and help you create a program that complies and ensures the best interest of the student.
• Workers Compensation Insurance: Your insurance carrier may not allow you to hire underage students. Via the staffing model, Adecco becomes the employer of record. Adecco takes on workers compensation insurance, manages all administrative human resources duties and payroll for the students, and provides long-term management and support of the students

The Kentucky Department of Education's (KDE's) Work-Based Learning Manual is a collaborative effort to provide all stakeholders with information on various types of work-based learning, such as job shadowing, mentoring, service learning, entrepreneurship programs, school-based enterprises, internship, cooperative education and youth-apprenticeship opportunities. In addition, the manual includes an overview of legal issues and structural guidance for implementing work-based learning at a school level.

KDE's Work-Based Learning Resource webpage has downloadable sample forms and promotional infographics to help document and advertise your work-based learning opportunities.

For specific course code information on WBL opportunities in career pathways, please refer to the Program of Studies.

For work-based learning questions, please contact Tina Brogli. For Adecco YES Program questions, please contact Mary Taylor.

New and Improved Street Law Resource Library

If you haven't had a chance yet this school year, check out Street Law's showcase of its top resources!

It features the top five most downloaded resources – the go-to Street Law materials that teachers count on to spark student engagement and critical thinking. It also highlights five top picks from the Street Law staff.

These favorites include innovative tools that help facilitate conversations on contested issues and challenge learners to view the world through new perspectives.

Check out the new and improved Street Law Library of instructional resources. 

• No more checkout process  
• Simplified account creation 
• Improved search functionality 
• New filtering feature 
• Heart your favorite resources 

Request a free copy of the 11th edition textbook from McGraw Hill.

OCTE Offers Free Access to LAPSEN Resources for Kentucky LPS Teachers

KDE's Office of Career and Technical Education covers the annual expense for all active Kentucky LPS teachers to use the Law and Public Safety Education Network's (LAPSEN's) website and resources. Instructions to create your free account can be found in Google classroom or by emailing Erica Settelen.

YouTube Report Writing Scenario 

We forget how many training resources on are YouTube. Take a look at this police officer writing sample practice scenario.

Teach Democracy Lesson Plan Resource

Some of the best lesson plans can come from social studies and civics websites. CRF was one of those sites and has rebranded as Teach Democracy. New name, same great stuff.

More Resources

• Free LPS New Teacher Orientation: Available to teachers in years one to three. Network with other LPS teachers and share resources.
• Find your pathway! The Law and Public Safety Pathways webpages lead you to support and resources.
• Sign up for the LAPSEN newsletter if you are not already. It has free resources, lesson plans, updates and scores of information.
• Make sure your program is on the census, since this is how agencies can find you. You also can look for other programs. If you are not on it, look to the left bottom for the add “+” button. You also can use that button to update your program information. 
• LAPSEN has developed Industry Recognized Credentials in LPS pathways.
• LAPSEN is the SkillsUSA LPS contest cluster coordinator. They are working on a webpage to support you as you compete.

If you need anything, reach out to info@lapsen.org and they can lead you in the right direction.

KACTE Online Learning Center Offering CTE Learn Course Modules Free for Kentucky CTE Professionals

Go to Kentucky ACTE - Online Learning Center and use the access code MK903213 to waive the fee for these courses. 

Learn more with this CTE Learn promotional flyer. 

Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTE) Resources

Law and Public Safety (LPS) Consultant Resources

ICYMI: Telecommunications Course Revision Announcement

The current Basic Telecommunications course (461011) is entering a revision cycle with the Business Education Alignment Taskforce team.

Any updates or changes will take effect in the 2026-2027 Program of Studies.

Updates will be provided at the 2025 Kentucky Association of Career and Technical Education Summer Conference LPS Consultant Session.

Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Resources

LPS Advisory Committee Meetings

Advisory committee meetings are required for Perkins funding.

Two annual meetings are required, one in the fall and one in the spring semester.

LPS Industry Certification Testing Reminders

– Select your testing dates.

– Communicate with Admin.

– Order exams; be sure to request (if needed) approval for students with testing accommodations).

– Reserve space to give exam.

– Put in absence and create substitute plans for days of testing OR locate an approved proctor if you're not authorized to administer the exam.

– Provide ALL results - pass and fail - to the building assessment coordinator.

– Provide certification copies to the guidance office for student folders, retain a copy for yourself and provide one to students.

– Be sure all passes and failures are entered into TEDS by your TEDS coordinator.

Kentucky State Police Employment Opportunities

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Apprenticeship Program is the only program in the Commonwealth where you can begin working as a state employee earning benefits, work toward an associate degree and gain preferential points toward becoming a cadet trooper at the age of 18. Apprentices will receive a salary of $23,922.72 during their time in the program.

Upon completion of the program and with acceptance to the KSP Academy to become a trooper, this salary will increase to $3,993.76 per month during academy training. Upon graduation of the academy, this salary will increase to $5,416.66 monthly ($65,000 annually).

A table that shows the pay increases throughout a Trooper’s career can be found online. Other important facts to know:

• Troopers receive a salary increase with each promotion.
• Troopers receive $7 per day for uniform maintenance.
• Troopers also receive a $4,000 annual training stipend.

If you would you like to learn more or have Kentucky State Police to come to your school, email Kelly Maze or call (502) 401-9641

Upcoming LAPSEN Training Dates

Fall NECI Instructor Certification Course Online

• Dates: Oct. 2, 9, 16 and 23, 6-8:30 p.m. ET

This course is required for anyone planning on being an instructor of the dispatch course. You must have completed Basic 9-1-1 certification or have a waiver before the course starts. 

NECI Registration Information

LAPSEN National Pre-Conference Training

Dec. 7 at the Nashville Gaylord Opryland Hotel

• CSI Micro-Credential Certification – Basic
• Law Enforcement Micro-Credential Certification – Basic
• NECI 9-1-1 Basic Instructor Certification
• NFPA Drones Instructor Certification
• Xplorlabs: The Science of Fire Forensics

Learn more about the LAPSEN national conference.

In Case You Missed It: What is Bus to Business?

The Kentucky Chamber Foundation team has launched its fifth year of the Bus to Business® program. As the program evolves, opportunities are being expanded to fit any district's goals in engaging the business community.

Bus to Business is designed to be a starting point to develop school/business partnerships that will enhance the application of skills and knowledge into potential career paths. The program looks different for every school and can be customized based on interests, demographics and geography. It includes:

• Student tours of businesses;
• Business guest speakers at schools;
• Business engagement at educational events;
• Virtual career exploration programming; and
• An educator's guide to industry

Events will happen throughout the school year.

If your school wants to learn more, please complete the Bus to Business® Interest Form. A Bus to Business® team member will reach out shortly.

For more information, contact Dorian Moe.

Why Join KACTE?

Consider these benefits of the Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education (KACTE) membership:

• Support from your colleagues and for your professional relationships.
• An opportunity to serve and gain perspective.
• Professional development, including a $60 reduction in the Summer Program registration fee.
• Legislative advocacy. KACTE is the only Kentucky association representing all career and technical education levels and disciplines before both the U.S. Congress and the Kentucky General Assembly.
• Information sharing at conferences, by e-mail blasts and through mailed communication to members.
• ACTE’s Techniques Magazine.
• KACTE’s website, Facebook page and Twitter account.
• ACTE Career Tech Update SmartBrief, a daily summary of national educational news complied and e-mailed directly to your computer.
• Insurance, including optional professional liability insurance at $99/year for $1 million in coverage.
• Teaching resources and access to ACTE’s best practices database, podcasts and more.

KACTE members work in all instructional levels of career and technical education, including middle schools, high schools, secondary career and technology centers, technical and community colleges, and universities, as well as at the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System offices. 

Sign up using the KACTE new membership application.

Law and Public Safety falls under the New & Related Services (NRS) Division. Be sure to select this when registering your state and/or national membership.

Law & Public Safety Questions?

Contact Erica Settelen, LPS Program Consultant, Articulated Credit Workgroup Lead

Kentucky Department of Education, Office of Career & Technical Education

300 Sower Blvd. Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 564-4286, ext. 4272

Request a virtual or in person LPS Consultant Meeting

Request an OCTE Visit or Staff Training for Articulated Credit

SkillsUSA Questions? Email State SkillsUSA Advisor, Kim Woodall

502-892-6508, ext. 4205

2025-2026 School Year Theme

The SkillsUSA competition theme for the 2025-26 school year is: 

Champion Your Future

The topic to be addressed by competitors in the 2026 SkillsUSA Chapter Display, Prepared Speech and Promotional Bulletin Board competitions.

Each year, a new SkillsUSA annual membership theme is unveiled to great excitement at the conclusion of our National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC). The theme is designed to inspire the amazing work in our SkillsUSA chapters during the school year as students develop the Personal, Workplace and Technical Skills of our SkillsUSA Framework.

Welcome Back to School Message from the National SkillsUSA Director, Chelle Travis.

SkillsUSA Absorb Platform Update

Have you tried to log into Absorb only to find it is blank?  Well, there is some exciting news for the 2025-2026 school year.

SkillsUSA Kentucky has joined with Pathful. This career exploration site will open on Sept. 2 for teachers and students to utilize for framework lessons, workplace tours, to request virtual guest speakers and much more. The largest part of this is that you and your students (any paid member) will have access to the technical standards for each area through this site.  It will be much, much easier to find lessons for your students. 

Law and Public Safety (LPS) Newsletter Archive

Did you miss a previous Law and Public Safety (LPS) Newsletter? You can access all previous editions of the newsletter on KDE's Law and Public Safety webpage.