Senate Bill Would Undermine SAGE Class-Size Reduction Program, Doyle Says

A bill passed last week by the State Senate would undermine the mission of the state's highly successful SAGE class-size reduction program, Governor Doyle said Monday (April 11, 2005).

The bill would allow school districts to spend SAGE money on other priorities, instead of reducing class sizes. In his state budget plan, Doyle has taken a very different approach: proposing a $44 million increase in the funding of SAGE (Student Achievement Guarantee in Education) so that class sizes can be reduced in even more classrooms. The governor's plan raises the reimbursement rate from $2,000 to $2,500 per student.

"It's time to make SAGE a priority, and invest in a program that we know works. It is vital to the success of our public schools, and our kids," Doyle said in a statement released by his office.

"The investments we make in our kids at an early age will determine what kind of state Wisconsin is in the future. I hope the Legislature will work together with me to pass this additional funding for SAGE, and get this done for our kids."

Doyle said SAGE not only improves student performance but also decreases the achievement gap between poor and minority children and their classmates.

He said that in visiting with teachers, parents, and students in schools across Wisconsin, they repeatedly tell him about the successes of SAGE.

Doyle quoted an educator from Riverside Elementary School in Fond du Lac as saying, "SAGE has provided such a wonderful opportunity for our teachers to thoroughly know their students, their learning styles, and provide individualized attention. This year, we also increased the amount of time allocated for parent-teacher conferences. What a blessing SAGE is for our population!"

"Smaller classes mean more learning - it's as simple as that," Doyle said. "Teachers can better meet the individual needs of students in a class of 15 than a class of 25. Research shows that SAGE classrooms not only improve student performance, but also decrease the achievement gap - putting children from all backgrounds on a level playing field."

Nearly 600 schools throughout Wisconsin participate in SAGE. However, funding for the program hasn't increased since it was started in 1996, and as a result, more than 50 schools were forced to drop the program, he said.

"Teachers and parents know that smaller classes are fundamental to learning - but somehow the Legislature doesn't seem to get the message," said Doyle, who used his veto pen two years ago to protect the program from devastating budget cuts passed by Republicans in the Legislature.

The governor said his proposal to increase SAGE funding is part of "a historic $850 million additional investment my budget makes in Wisconsin's public schools."

"In addition to investing in SAGE, we are helping schools that face declining enrollment, providing startup grants for 4-year-old kindergarten programs, and addressing the needs of schools struggling with special education and school transportation costs," he said. "This investment will not only guarantee that schools have the resources they need, but will take the burden off of local property taxpayers."

Resource page on the 2005-07 state budget

Posted April 12, 2005