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Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) Program

AGR Program Overview

The Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) Program was established in the 2015-16 school year; and fully replaced the Student Achievement Guarantee in Education program (SAGE) at the end of the 2017-18 school year. The AGR program allows a participating school to meet the obligations of its five-year contract by implementing one of three strategies, or a combination of these strategies in every kindergarten through grade three classroom:

  1. one−to−one tutoring provided by a licensed teacher;
  2. instructional coaching for teachers provided by a licensed teacher; or
  3. maintaining 18:1 or 30:2 classroom ratios and providing professional development on small group instruction.

The AGR program requires a participating school to create performance objectives, including reducing the achievement gap between low−income students in that school and students in the same grade and subject statewide.

The AGR program requires school board review of implementation and progress towards achieving performance objectives in each participating school at the end of every semester.

The AGR program is funded by a sum certain amount as authorized under Wis. Stat. § 20.255(2)(cu). The amount appropriated in the 2017-19 Wisconsin State Budget is $109,184,500 (less $125,000). The amount is prorated among all low−income pupils in participating grades. Aid payments are calculated from the statewide appropriation to determine the per pupil allocation.

SAGE Program Historical Context

The Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) program was established in the 1996-97 school year to improve student achievement through class size reduction, increased collaboration between schools and their communities, implementation of a rigorous curriculum, and improved professional development and staff-evaluation procedures. With the enactment of 2015 Wisconsin Acts 53 and 71, the SAGE program officially ended after the completion of the 2017-18 school year; and was replaced by the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program under a new section of statutes. For more details about the AGR program, please see the Achievement Gap Reduction Frequently Asked Questions page.