CAPITOL REPORT:
Governor Cuts funding:
Perhaps one of the most disturbing aspects of Governor
McCallum’s proposed budget was the dramatic cut in funding for the
program that reduces class sizes in grades k-3, the Student Achievement
Guarantee in Education (SAGE) program. According to the Department of Public
Instruction, Governor McCallum’s budget included a $37 million shortfall
in SAGE funding. Over 370 schools statewide would have been unable to reduce
class sizes in grades 2 and 3. This promised expansion was part of a bipartisan
agreement forged during the 1999-2001 budget.
Under SAGE, eligible schools receive $2000 per low-income
child to reduce student-teacher ratios in grades K-3. Wisconsin piloted the program in 1996, and recent research
has shown that SAGE students scored significantly higher on skills test.
Under McCallum’s proposal, funding for smaller class
sizes at Emerson, Franklin and Lapham would have been negatively affected.
Legislative Democrats
fight back:
Legislative Democrats, outraged by the cuts, rallied support
for the program and were successful in convincing all of the members the Joint
Finance Committee to vote in favor or restoring the majority of the funding in
the state budget. The Committee
voted to restore $35.5 million by a vote of 16-0 on May 30th.
Research shows that smaller class sizes in the early K-3
grades increase student achievement. A number of outlets, including the RAND
corporation, UW-Milwaukee and the Department of Public Instruction have
published studies which show conclusive evidence linking smaller class sizes
with higher academic performance. These are the critical years when students
need more one-on-one teacher attention. Rather than make a needed investment in
this program, the Governor proposed to put SAGE at risk.
The fight continues:
The fight is not over.
It is possible that during the budget floor debate that a motion may be
offered to withdraw the funding.
Shortly after the vote to restore the funding, Representatives Glenn
Grothman (R-West Bend) and Frank Lasee (R-Bellevue) indicated that they would
introduce amendments to remove the increase in spending.
Now is the time for parents, teachers and communities to
come together and demand our schools receive fair funding so our children have
the opportunity to succeed, We are not talking about new spending. We are
talking about the state meeting its obligation to our children. This is an
investment we are making in our children’s future. The parents and
teachers I’ve talked to all agree that it’s an investment worth
making.
I will continue to fight hard to keep the promise to reduce
class sizes and invest in our children’s future. I hope you will join me.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON
THIS OR ANY OTHER ISSUE?
As always, you can reach me at (phone) 266-8570, (e-mail) mark.pocan@legis.state.wi.us or
you may write to P.O. Box 8953 Madison, WI 53708.
Sincerely,
Mark Pocan,
78th Assembly District