The paper reports on evaluations that have taken place within the framework of the model project programme SINUS Transfer (running since 2003). In parts 1 and 2, we shall present the conceptual basis and the results of two tests that have been carried out at the beginning and at the end of one of these model projects. The topic of part 3 concerns classroom observations in two classes that have had exceptional increases in performance. Even though no causal interpretations are possible, the results give encouraging hints to potential connections between quality teaching and students’ performance.