SAGE aid supports class-size reduction in 495 schools

Wisconsin’s Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) program completed its 10th year of supporting increased student achievement by providing smaller class sizes in kindergarten through third grade.

The program is funded, in part, with $96.6 million in state aid that the Department of Public Instruction pays to 222 school districts on behalf of the 495 schools that participate in SAGE. That funding provided $2,000 per low income student in SAGE classrooms, supporting class sizes of 15 students to one teacher in grades K-3. In addition to the smaller class sizes, SAGE schools are expected to offer a rigorous curriculum focused on academic achievement, provide staff development that improves instructional and evaluation practices, and strive for increased collaboration between schools and communities including before- and after-school programming that supports working families.

“SAGE makes a difference,” said State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. “Schools credit their success to this program because it allows them to create learning environments that support student achievement.”

SAGE began during the 1996-97 school year with 30 schools serving 3,200 students in kindergarten and first grades. During the 2005-06 school year, the SAGE program enrolled 93,300 K-3 students, 52 percent of whom are from economically disadvantaged families. The $2,000 in per pupil aid schools have received since the program’s inception will increase to $2,250 in the 2007-08 school year. The aid increase, approved by the governor and the Legislature, will help offset inflationary increases for teacher salaries, benefits, and other program costs.

SAGE schools have shown some remarkable achievements over the years. Of the state’s 144 New Wisconsin Promise Schools of Recognition for 2005-06, 69 of the 77 elementary schools were SAGE schools, and many have earned the honor for two and three years. New Wisconsin Promise Schools of Recognition are eligible for federal Title I funding and are among the highest poverty schools in the state. Additionally, student achievement in these schools is above average for the state in both reading and mathematics, based on statewide assessments, and there are no noticeable lags in achievement for subgroups of students.

In their annual reports to the Department of Public Instruction, SAGE schools praise the collaboration among teachers and the ability to share strategies and better align curriculum. They report that students receive more individualized instruction, have more opportunities to interact in smaller groups and get much more attention and feedback about their work, which contributes to increased achievement.

“SAGE is a vital program to our children’s success.” Burmaster said, “It is a critical component of our New Wisconsin Promise to increase achievement for all students, close the achievement gap, and provide a quality education to every child.”

Additional information about the SAGE program is available at http://dpi.wi.gov/sage/.

Last updated on 7/24/2006