| SAGE Program Shows Impressive Results in First Year
Students are learning more and discipline problems are falling in
schools participating in a class size reduction program, according to
a new study.
“The Student Achievement Guarantee in Education program is
showing remarkable results for children and teachers alike in just one
year,” WEAC President Terry Craney said. “SAGE is improving
learning opportunities for children at a critical time in their
education: the early primary grades.” An evaluation of the first year of the Student Achievement Guarantee
in Education (SAGE) program conducted for the Department of Public
Instruction found participating first-grade students had higher
reading, language arts and mathematics test scores than students in
comparison classrooms. The SAGE program lowers class size to 15 in the early primary
grades. It focuses on schools with large concentrations of students
from low-income families. Kindergartners and first grade students in
30 schools in 21 school districts participated in SAGE last year. “SAGE is an example of what can be accomplished when we commit
resources directly to children, where they are needed the most,”
Craney said. “WEAC led the fight to expand SAGE in the recently
passed state budget. We know that smaller class sizes are the key to
improving education.” In addition to higher test scores, SAGE schools reported teachers
were able to meet students’ individual needs, spend more time on
instruction, and cover more content area than in larger classrooms.
Teachers also reported spending less time on discipline. “We are confident that, as the program expands, future
evaluations of SAGE will confirm that lower class sizes do improve
learning for children,” Craney said. “SAGE is one of the
best investments we can make in our children’s future.” Posted December 8, 1997
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