Statewide Testing Results

Testing scores from the 2013-2014 school year have been released for schools statewide.  I've pulled the results for the 3rd District from the Courier-Journal's online database and included them below.

These scores represent a whole lot of effort and study from our students, but they couldn't perform at these levels without the hard work and tireless dedication of our teachers — thank those you know or see today!

Click here (http://datacenter.courier-journal.com/projects/2014-kentucky-public-school-test-results/?sf31899164=1) for the C-J data center to search for another county, or compare various counties.

To understand the scoring, I've  included the C-J's brief description here:

Under the Unbridled Learning review, schools receive an overall score of 1-100 based on their achievement in key areas. They then receive a percentile rank among elementary, middle and high schools statewide. They are also judged on whether they met their goal score and receive a classification status — Needs Improvement, Proficient or Distinguished — and whether they are progressing.

Shining a Light

Data reported by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in 2013, with the most current data available. Click the image to download the full report in PDF.

I've written before about the condition known as NAS, or Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, which is diagnosed when a child is born drug dependent because of their mother's substance abuse during the pregnancy.  A recent report by the Lexington Herald-Leader draws further attention to this growing problem - and it is a growing problem.

As you can see from just a cursory look at the report at right, the occurrence of NAS is climbing quickly, and until now we only had data through 2011.  For reasons I have yet to uncover, a statute passed in 2013 closed the door to this data, preventing the anonymized statistics of these cases from being disclosed to the public, thereby concealing the growing problem and the need to help these children and their families.

Well, no more.  The moment I learned of that 2013 statute I went to work on a bill to fix it.  That bill draft was filed this year (2014) and became Senate Bill 47, allowing the anonymous data related to NAS diagnoses to be shared with the public, including policy makers in the Legislative and Executive branches, so that going forward we can make the best, well-informed decisions.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending a ceremonial bill signing for SB 47 with the Governor. (Click the image to enlarge).

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While SB47 was an important first step, I will continue to work on legislation aimed at protecting and helping the most vulnerable Kentuckians – especially the unborn and the newborn who have no control over their own lives yet stand to suffer the most from substance abuse.  

Be watching in 2015 as I continue this fight!

Taking Applications

For the first time since taking office I'm creating an intern position (unpaid, I'm afraid) within my Senate office, open to an interested high school senior or college student.

This position would be part time and include various clerical tasks associated with the office, attendance at public events in the District (or elsewhere in Kentucky), research, writing, photography/videography and (if your schedule/location permits) time in Frankfort for more of the same during the 2015 Regular Session.

Conservative or Republican candidates are required.  You'll be face to face with my political work — and helping me — so if my beliefs and priorities will cause you discomfort, then perhaps this position isn't for you.

Other skills of importance:

• Computer/Web proficiency
• Word processing
• Presentation software proficiency (Keynote, PowerPoint)
• Camera operation (still/video)
• Social Media proficiency

Finally, confidentiality is paramount as you'll likely learn of legislation that is not yet (or may never be) made public, or be around political discussions. Discretion is key.  I must be able to trust you. Failure on this point could harm important legislation or my ability to serve my constituents, and will absolutely have an adverse impact on your position with me.

If this sounds like something that interests you or a child/student of yours, please contact me here to schedule an interview.  Personal and/or professional references are welcome. 

Juvenile Justice Reform Work Begins

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Sen. Westerfield (R, Hopkinsville) speaks at the ceremonial SB200 bill signing at the Christian County Day Treatment center in Hopkinsville (formerly CCMS) on August 28, 2014.

After a two year task force process, and an arduous legislative session filled with thousands of hours of writing, studying, debating and re-writing (rinse and repeat), Senate Bill 200 was finally passed by the General Assembly, and signed into law by the Governor.  SB200 is easily my biggest accomplishment to date, and my bill (as well as the task force process that led to it) has already become a model used by states across the country, the most recent of which are West Virginia and South Dakota.  Best of all, the bill has already brought agencies together to collaborate in an unprecedented way.  The trajectory of the lives of Kentucky's children and their families have already begun to change, and it will only get better.

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Gov. Steve Beshear prepares to ceremonially sign Senate Bill 200, sponsored by Sen. Westerfield (R, Hopkinsville - 4th from the right) on August 28, 2014.

A critical part of SB200 sets up a temporary group called the Oversight Council (the group dissolves after 8 years so as to avoid creating another permanent governmental bureaucracy).  The Oversight Council is made up of various agency heads and stakeholder representatives, is co-chaired by the Senate and Judiciary Chairs (as non-voting members), and has two objectives:  (1) discuss each agency's SB200 implementation efforts, including a discussion of problem areas to make recommendations for administrative or legislation action to keep the reforms of SB200 on track, and (2) study and debate a handful of policy issues that SB200 did not include, but that we believed warranted further discussion and possible legislative action down the road.

The first meeting of the Oversight Council took place today (September 4, 2014) and uncovered a couple of trouble spots that agencies can begin to work on immediately.  The collaboration amongst agencies is just refreshing - this is the way government is supposed to work, cooperation, communication and openness.  The meeting was a refreshing break from politics, easily one of the more productive meetings I've had on the job.  I hope this keeps up!

Recently, I had a chance to give an interview with Nick Storm at cn|2 Pure Politics about SB200 and the work agencies have already begun.  Read about it here, and watch cn|2 clip of the interview below.

Uploaded by cn2Kentucky on 2014-09-04.

You can download either a two-page summary of the bill or the legislation in its entirety by heading over to this page.