Project STAR

Project STAR (Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio) was a significant education research study conducted in Tennessee during the 1980s. It aimed to determine whether smaller class sizes improve student performance. Thousands of students and teachers were randomly assigned to different class sizes, ranging from small to larger classes, to measure the impact on academic achievement. Results showed that students in smaller classes, especially in the early grades, generally performed better on standardized tests and had improved long-term outcomes. The study provided strong evidence for the benefits of reducing class sizes to enhance student learning, influencing educational policies nationwide.