In this episode, Dr. Jess Laine dives into the academic achievement findings from her dissertation research. Using STAAR assessment data from Dallas ISD middle schools, she compares Montessori and traditional students to determine whether discovery-based learning leads to stronger academic outcomes.

The results show that Montessori students were more likely to meet grade-level expectations, but the story doesn’t end there. The instructional method alone wasn’t the only factor influencing achievement. School culture, teacher effectiveness, and broader support systems also played critical roles.

This episode unpacks the nuance behind the numbers and explores what the findings mean for teachers, administrators, and families who want to make informed decisions about student success.