What research design is an educational psychologist tracks the academic progress of a group of head star students from age 4 through 18?

The research design used by the educational psychologist in this scenario is a longitudinal study. This approach involves collecting data from the same group of Head Start students over an extended period (from age 4 to 18), allowing the researcher to track changes in academic progress and development over time. Longitudinal studies are valuable for identifying trends and causal relationships in educational outcomes as they provide insights into how early interventions affect long-term academic success.