Dear Friends,


This week, Wisconsin's 2021-22 Forward Assessment data is expected to be released. Recently, Education officials in California postponed releasing their data.

I am asking Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction to not follow California's lead. 


Good or bad, the parents and taxpayers of Wisconsin deserve to have this data made available to them. So far, DPI appears to be on track to release the report cards on time. I hope that remains true. You can read my letter here.


Congratulations to Hoopmaster in Germantown. Their product, the Mighty Hoop, is one of the top 16 Coolest Things made in Wisconsin hosted by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. You can vote for the Might Hoop to move on to the next round and many other cool things made right here in Wisconsin by visiting here.


As always, if you have any concerns or ideas on how to improve our great state, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 608-266-5830 or by email at Sen.Darling@legis.wisconsin.gov.


On, Wisconsin!

DPI Secretary Ignores Problems

Last week, the Secretary of the Department of Public Instruction, Jill Underly, gave her “State of Education in Wisconsin” address. I was disappointed she spent time taking shots at the Legislature and never mentioned the disappointing test scores.


The DPI Secretary refuses to acknowledge failure. Under her watch, too many children in our schools are failing. There was not a single acknowledgment that less than one-third of students are proficient in English or Math. Instead of accepting we have the largest achievement gap in the country, she’d rather change the definition.

 

Despite historic funding for public education, less than one-third of students are proficient in English or math. Sixty-four percent of fourth-graders are not proficient in reading. Our state ranks dead-last in reading achievement among black students. Hispanic students dropped from 1st in the nation to 28th while white students fell from 6th to 27th. 

 

Spotting reading problems sooner dramatically increases the chance that a child will succeed in school and life. Republicans tried to give teachers help to bring test scores back up and improve outcomes. Twice we sent a bill that would screen schoolchildren on their reading abilities earlier and more often, notify parents of concerns, and create a clear direction to get kids back on track to succeed. Twice, Governor Evers vetoed it. Our Superintendent provided no reading solutions and our Governor refuses to help. 

 

The bill is based on successful models in other states, including Mississippi, which dramatically increased reading levels after passing similar legislation. Even the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noticed that Mississippi is making huge strides in reading comprehension. 

 

After over a decade of Tony Evers refusing to reform education in Wisconsin, it is clear the new Superintendent intends to follow his lead.

Making Wisconsin Safer

According to a recent report, auto thefts are up 144% across the state, vandalism is rising, and more people are murdered in Milwaukee than in the rest of the state combined. It's amazing to me that some people want to make us even less safe by defunding the police.


Law enforcement does a great job, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be better. During this session, we sent four bills to Governor Evers that would improve policing and help repair trust in our communities.


I co-authored four bi-partisan police reforms with a former police officer and chair of the Senate Judiciary & Public Safety Committee Van Wanggaard of Racine, and Democratic Senator Lena Taylor of Milwaukee. Our bills focused on maintaining effective law enforcement service while improving the accountability and transparency of police and increasing community involvement.


The package was developed through conversations last summer between the senators, law enforcement, and reform advocates. I’m excited and encouraged to find common ground to foster a better relationship between the police and the communities they serve.


  • Reform the dysfunctional and controversial Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission and Madison Police and Fire Commission - Vetoed by the Governor
  • Require the publication of use-of-force policies - Signed into law
  • Create annual reporting of use-of-force incidents - Signed into law
  • Begin a $600,000 grant for a Community-Oriented Policing (COP) house program which Racine implemented in 1996 and helped reduce crime. - Signed into law


This session, I also co-authored Senate Bill 119, which will defund communities that defund the police. Communities that cut their police force will see a drop in state revenue. Leaving citizens unprotected has consequences for law-abiding citizens. There must be some consequences for city officials who defund police.


I'm proud to support our brave men and women who protect us. These bills will help make sure they are there for us when it really matters.

Road Closure

Fall Color Report

Around the 8th

Facebook  Twitter  Instagram