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Background
There is no better example of a program that makes classrooms work than
the Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) program, which
reduces class sizes in early grades and requires districts to create
and implement plans for improving student performance.
There is a solid body of evidence to show that reduced class sizes in the lower primary grades can have long-lasting effects on student achievement. Studies such as the Lasting Benefits Study, Project STAR (Tennessee, 1990), the Educational Testing Service Study, Wisconsin's Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE), and the WEAC class-size studies support what teachers have always known: Small classes allow for better education.
New findings reveal that students in Project STAR's smaller classes continue to outperform their peers in larger classes well beyond the 3rd grade.
WEAC is a leading advocate for class size reduction efforts in Wisconsin. A powerful coalition of parents, administrators, elected officials, business leaders and educators has formed to support class size reduction efforts.
Legislative history
The SAGE program began in the 1996-97 school year with 30 schools in
21 districts. SAGE served kindergarten through 3rd-grade students in
78 schools in 46 school districts in the 1999-2000 school year. In 2000-2001,
576 schools participated in the SAGE program.
Participating districts take part in an extensive evaluation of the program conducted by the Center for Education Research, Analysis and Innovation at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition, districts agree to turn schools into "lighted schoolhouses" open for extended hours, to develop rigorous academic programs, and to establish and implement plans for staff development and accountability.
Evaluation of the first four years of the program showed that students in SAGE schools scored significantly higher than students in the comparison schools in reading, language arts, and mathematics.
WEAC led efforts in the Legislature to secure full funding for the SAGE program through 3rd grade as part of the 2001-2003 state budget. In addition, the SAGE program was made permanent. This allows the existing five-year SAGE contracts to be renewable and the program will continue to benefit children beyond the 2001-2002 school year.
WEAC position
WEAC believes that excellence in the classroom can best be attained
by small class size. Class-size maximums must be based on the type of
students, subject area content, physical facilities, and other criteria.
Smaller class sizes provide the opportunity for students to learn and
teachers to teach at much higher levels. WEAC supports the addition
of administrative staff at the Department of Public Instruction to better
serve SAGE schools, parents and children across the state.
Talking points
Additional information
Contact Bob Burke at WEAC at 800-362- 8034 ext. 254 or by e-mail at
burkeb@weac.org with any reactions,
comments or questions.
Posted July 26, 2002