SB 364

This bill repeals the Achievement Gap Reduction program created in

2015

Wisconsin Act 53

, reinstates an expanded Student Achievement Guarantee in

Education program, and phases out the Milwaukee, Racine, and statewide parental

choice programs (together, choice programs) and the Special Needs Scholarship

Program.

Both the AGR and SAGE programs are categorical aid programs that provide

funding to participating schools for low-income pupils enrolled in participating

grades if the participating school complies with a five-year contract entered into

between a school board, on behalf of the participating school, and the Department

of Public Instruction. Under the AGR program repealed in this bill, a participating

grade is a grade from kindergarten to third grade that is subject to an AGR contract.

The expanded SAGE program established under this bill applies to all grades, from

four-year-old kindergarten through grade 12.

Under the AGR program repealed in this bill, a school board must implement

one or more of the following strategies in each class in each participating grade at

each participating school:

1. Reduce the class size to 18 pupils or, if a classroom has at least two regular

classroom teachers, to 30 pupils, and provide professional development on small

group instruction.

2. Provide instructional coaching for teachers.

3. Provide one-to-one tutoring to pupils who struggle with reading or math.

Under the expanded SAGE program created in this bill, each participating school

must reduce the class size of each class in the school to 18 pupils or, if a classroom

has at least two regular classroom teachers, to 30 pupils. In addition, the school

board must:

(a) Ensure that certain education and human services are available in each

participating school.

(b) Ensure that a rigorous curriculum is provided in each participating school.

(c) Provide staff development and require professional staff accountability for

staff in each participating school.

Under the AGR program repealed in this bill, DPI must pay to a school board

under an AGR contract a per pupil amount determined by dividing the amount

appropriated to the AGR program by the total number of pupils enrolled in a

participating class. Under the expanded SAGE program created in this bill, DPI

must pay $2,250 for each pupil in a participating class. Under the bill, DPI must

annually adjust the per pupil payment to reflect the percentage change in the

consumer price index, if that change is positive. The repeal of the AGR takes effect

immediately; the bill permits school boards to enter into contracts under the