Class size makes a difference Princeton NJ -- Smaller classes can help narrow the achievement gap between black and white students and might even aid in reducing crime and teen births, according to a new analysis by two Princeton researchers. The report by economics professor Alan Krueger and graduate student Diane Whitmore, "Would Smaller Classes Help Close the Black-White Achievement Gap?," which is available online at <www.irs.princeton.edu/pubs/pdfs/451.pdf>, answers its own question: Yes. In general, students who are enrolled in smaller classes in the early grades have higher test scores both while they are in those grades and when they move on to larger classes, although the edge is reduced in the higher grades. The benefit is even more pronounced for black students. African-Americans who are assigned to a small class for an average of two years between kindergarten and third grade are more likely to take college-entrance exams and have higher scores on those exams than students assigned to large classes in the early years, the study found. The Princeton study analyzed an experiment known as Project STAR in Tennessee, involving 11,600 elementary students and teachers. Between 1985 and 1989, students were randomly chosen for smaller classes of 13 to 17 students, compared to average classes of 22 to 25 students. The students returned to regular-sized classes in the fourth grade.   top		May 21, 2001 Vol. 90, No. 28 previous   archives   next Contents New president • Professor named 19th president • Time is right for Tilghman • Reaction enthusiastic for new leader • Family comes first for new president • Shirley Tilghman bio Life sciences • Search is on for genomics institute head • Silver: Doubling not necessarily troubling • Landweber tracks changes in genetic code • Virus leaves trail in brain for researchers Students and alumni • Thesis sparks thriving teacher corps • Recent grad's first novel attracts attention • Student teaching builds bridges • New program preps local students for success Other news • Merck funds professorship to honor alumnus • Hair colors literary, artistic representations • Class size makes a difference People • Remaining discretionary funds to increase staff salaries • Doig announces retirement • Barron is new women's hoops coach • Spotlight • Briefs • Thirteen faculty members transfer to emeritus status Sections • By the numbers: Reunions • Nassau Notes • Calendar of events The Bulletin is published weekly during the academic year, except during University breaks and exam weeks, by the Office of Communications, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544. Permission is given to adapt, reprint or excerpt material from the Bulletin for use in other media. Deadline. In general, the copy deadline for each issue is the Friday 10 days in advance of the Monday cover date. The deadline for the Bulletin that covers June 4&endash;17 is Friday, May 25. A complete publication schedule is available at deadlines or by calling (609) 258-3601. Subscriptions. The Bulletin is distributed free to faculty, staff and students. Others may subscribe to the Bulletin for $24 for the academic year (half price for current Princeton parents and people over 65). Send a check to Office of Communications, Stanhope Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544. Editor: Ruth Stevens Calendar editor: Carolyn Geller Contributing writers: Jennifer Greenstein, Pam Hersh, Marilyn Marks, Steven Schultz, Regina Tan Photographer: Denise Applewhite Design: Mahlon Lovett, Laurel Masten Cantor Web edition: Mahlon Lovett