200 Visit Legislators on SAGE Day at the Capitol

About 200 teachers, parents and administrators came to Madison April 29 to lobby on behalf of the Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) program.

The group first met with four key legislators (left to right above), Senators Peggy Rosenzweig and Bob Jauch and Representatives Joan Spillner and Antonio Riley. They then fanned out throughout the Capitol, urging legislators to support expansion of SAGE.

SAGE provides state funding to help reduce class sizes in kindergarten through 3rd grade in schools with significant concentrations of children from low-income families. The goal is to keep those classes to a maximum of 15 students.

The governor's two-year budget proposal would add about $17 million to the program, adding 30 to 40 schools to the 80 now participating. Educators urged legislators to expand it even further to cover all schools in Wisconsin with more than a 50% low-income student enrollment. That would add an estimated 108 schools and cost another $10 million.

Educator after educator told stories about how the smaller class sizes have allowed them to reach children on a more personal level, and how that has helped the children learn and grow.

“This is an investment. It is not a cost,” Jauch said.

"This is not about helping schools, it's about helping students, and it is about giving the children a chance to succeed.

"If we expect the best from you," Jauch told the educators, "we must give you the tools that allow you to do the best."

He applauded the visitors, saying, "It's nice to have average citizens here advocating on behalf of children. You clearly can feel good about your role here today. You already have made a remarkable difference."

Spillner, a former teacher, noted that she has taught classes with 28 students and classes with 16 students. "It's a night and day difference in how you can reach these kids," she said. "You're able to address problems because you're able to work one-on-one with kids.

"I think it's crucial we keep small numbers in the primary grades," Spillner added. "That's where we make a difference in children's lives."

Riley also expressed support for implementing the program in every eligible school throughout the state.

"Our goal is to expand SAGE programs, and I think we can do that with your help," he said.

Rosenzweig also said SAGE is a wise investment of funds because it reaps benefits both now and in the future.

WEAC Government Relations Director John Stocks said SAGE Day "was a major success because of the hard work of people who took the time to come to Madison and lobby for a program that has a track record of helping children."

"The personal stories from constituents went a long way toward convincing legislators of the need to expand SAGE and make it permanent. WEAC issues a special thanks to all who participated in SAGE Day.”

Stocks noted a new study of Tennessee’s STAR class size reduction program has found long-term benefits of smaller class sizes. The new research completes earlier studies of the STAR program, which found lower class sizes improved student performance in the primary grades. The new study found STAR students outperformed students in larger classes right through high school graduation.

“This is more proof that programs like SAGE make a difference for children,” Stocks said.

The SAGE program, created in 1995 as a pilot project, is modeled after the STAR program. The first two SAGE studies (1997/1998) found positive results in reading, math and language arts. SAGE students significantly outperformed their peers in comparison schools (schools with similar student populations but with larger class sizes).

Stocks urged all WEAC members to contact their legislators and urge them to vote in favor of expanding SAGE.

“We made progress in convincing some legislators of the need to expand SAGE,” Stocks said. “We now need WEAC members to talk to their legislators, whether they have SAGE schools or not, to support expanding and keeping SAGE.”

WEAC's Cyberlobby site will assist you in contacting your legislators.

Posted May 3, 1999