Study: Small Indiana districts lagging on test scores

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A study of Indiana schools found that size may have an impact on academic performance.

More than half of Indiana districts can't operate efficiently because they're too small, Ball State University's Center for Business and Economic Research said.

The study found that districts with less than 2,000 students performed worse on tests than larger districts. Researchers said the gap could be because smaller districts can't afford to use as many resources.

The study also found that smaller districts are less likely to offer calculus, physics and Advanced Placement courses.

"We are troubled that the worst outcomes tend to be in these STEM-related fields," said Michael Hicks, director of the Ball State research center.