UPDATED: 4 Framingham Elementary Schools Part of Sage Pilot Study

Originally posted at 8:35 a.m. Updated.

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FRAMINGHAM, MA - Four Framingham elementary schools will participate in a Sage pilot study involving the assessment of first graders’ critical and creative thinking skills, announced Framingham Public Schools.

The purpose of the Sage pilot is two-fold: to monitor how our students are applying higher order thinking skills to problem-solving and to increase accessibility to Sage screening, so that the representation of students in the district’s gifted and talented programming is enhanced and mirrors Framingham’s demographics.

Barbieri, Hemenway, Potter Road, and Wilson elementary schools will take part in the pilot testing this academic year, according to the school district.

In those schools, there will be no need for Sage referrals for first grade students.

“When we step back and look at how we need to educate students in the 21st Century, the question we ask becomes this: What are the critical skills every student needs to survive and succeed in a world that’s rapidly changing and developing? With the Common Core Standards, students are expected to think analytically, which includes proficiency with comparing, contrasting, evaluating and synthesizing. Students must engage in meaningful tasks that present challenges and problem solving techniques in imaginative ways,” said Framingham Superintendent Stacy Scott.

Student outcomes will help to inform instruction in 21st Century classrooms and will determine referrals for further Sage screening. This pilot will allow the district to review and adjust testing procedures and results before adopting the administration of critical and creative thinking measures and strategies in all Framingham schools.

Our hope is to expand opportunities for greater numbers of students in Framingham to have access to Sage services, said the district in announcing the pilot study.