28 comments

Dannah Gresh

What A New Study Says About Christian Education

Posted on 10.10.11 by Dannah Gresh
Topics: With Your Kids

As a True Woman living under the great leadership of my True Man, we have taken very seriously the education of our children. We’ve experienced all school types that you can imagine and seen the strengths and weaknesses of each one. Along the way, we made decisions guided by prayer to have our children where we believed God wanted them. That’s never an easy task.

  • In the early years of parenting we chose public schooling, and I drove my kids to and from school and was in the classroom for many hours every week keeping my pulse on their lives.
  • Then we moved fifteen hours away in part to place our children in a Christian school that held the values we so treasured.
  • At another time, we knew it was the right decision to home school and so rolled up our sleeves to remember once again how photosynthesis works and to diagram sentences.
  • Eventually we founded our own alternative Christian high school.

A recent study out of Cardus, a Christian think-tank based in Ontario, has exciting results for the hard work, financial sacrifice, and conviction displayed by homeschooling and Christian school parents whose paychecks have gone to curriculum and tuition payments while they vacation in state parks and drive used cars with six-digit mileage. Here’s the good news: the popular stereotypes of those receiving a Christian education (you know: socially fragmented, anti-intellectual, and militantly right-winged) bear no statistical weight in reality.

Even better, this comprehensive study reveals this about students graduating from the home school or Christian school setting:

  • They are outwardly-focused individuals who stabilize their communities by their uncommon commitment to their families, their churches, and larger society.
  • They donate significantly more money than graduates of other schools, despite having lower household incomes.
  • They are more generous with their time in terms of both global and community service.
  • And here’s where the True Woman in me leaps for joy: these graduates tend to be more likely to love family. They understand the concept of family and they are more likely to marry younger and have more children. Their school setting has taught them to love God’s beautiful institutions of marriage and family, which I passionately believe portrays the love of Christ for the Church.

If you’re a woman who’s in the Christian education camp, you may be feeling the reward of your sacrifice right now. Don’t sit on your laurels for too long. I’m buttering you up for a reason. As with most research projects, we can usually learn where our weaknesses are if we are able to swallow our pride as we revel in our strengths. I hope you’ll do that with me because I see something that scares me silly and I’ll share it with you tomorrow. Come back tomorrow to find out why home school graduates may be more at risk of experiencing the great heartbreak of divorce and what you can do to reduce the risk.

Comments

  1. As a former statistician, I'd like to make a gentle caution here to the writer of this article (and tomorrow's). This study, while well done, is based on a sample of 24-39 yr olds, so we are actually looking at the results of private schooling and homeschooling that occurred 10-20 years ago. I'm not familiar with the ways private schooling has changed over the last 20 years, but homeschooling has changed dramatically over the last twenty years. Assuming these results are measures of current practices may be misleading. Let's be careful how we handle statistics...
    posted by Michelle
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 7:57 am
  2. Hello Michelle. Dannah Gresh here. I wrote the article. This research was conducted in 2010 and was just released. It's brand new!!! I'm concerned that you make it sound dated and un-useful to us in terms of analyzing our outcomes. I've been trained in the handling of statistics and the Cardus group is highly respected. At a thorough reading, I found the results to be consistent with other research I've read on Christian education, as well as my own personal observations. Where you are correct and I could have been more clear...those surveyed did graduate 10-20 years ago. We're measuring the long-term impact of Christian education here. And I think that's something that's really worth looking into. That said, tune in tomorrow as it'll get a little more revealing and testimonial in nature!
    purefreedom.org
    posted by Dannah Gresh
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 8:20 am
  3. I look forward to part 2!
    http://www.moretobe.com
    posted by Lisa
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 8:39 am
  4. All three of my chldren graduated from a Christian school, they went from k-12 and then went on and earned 4 year degrees in Christian college. Guess what? My grandchildren are in Christian education. I am happy to report they are all community minded and possess strong Christian and family values. However, it IS a combination of home plus school. I advise parents to "hand in glove" the two elements to head off failure. My oldest child graduated in '89 and youngest in '92 so they do fall in that category.
    posted by Karyl
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 9:40 am
  5. I'm a product of two years of Christian Ed (8 & 9th grades) and the rest public school education. My children as well as attended a school run by a Baptist church and Lutheran School (my oldest primary and secondary; youngest primary through 9th grade). I have to say I was disappointed with Christian Schools both with my own experience and my sons. The quality of the education could have been better. I did not expect perfection nor that they should exceed public schools with less funding.

    I did not send my children to Chrisitian School to get Biblical training and teaching. I believed that was my responsiblity. But I want to get them away from the disrespectful atmosphere that was in public schools in the 80s. I think that I succeed in that goal.
    posted by Elveria
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 9:41 am
  6. I love and respect Christian Education, I am a graduate of a Christian school and I know I benefitted from it. Now I am a mother with 5 children and it is around $1000 a month to send them to the local Christian school. We did send them for 2 years and got behind in paying them, so now they are in public school because I need a job to pay everything back. I know my one son hates it and his grades are slipping. What can we do about the cost?
    posted by AB
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 9:53 am
  7. I appreciated seeing what this study found. I married but do not have any children yet and have thought about the options between Christian and Public schools for our children. However, that problem I may have (correct me if I am wrong) with this article is that the characteristics described by the author or the children who graduated from a Christian school might just be those of children rasied in a Christian home. I did not attend a Christian school and many of the strongest, most genuine Christians I know did not as well. However, I do know a few who did attend Christian school who have turned away from God for various reasons. Therefore, I tend to believe the home is where values and Christian faith should start, instead of being so reliant on the schools.

    Also, I am slightly thrown off by the fact that when these children married and had their own children is even a factor. That is to say, I am confused why that is even being used as a measure? If a person does not marry until later in life, couldn't that just be God's timing? Please clarify this. That should be used to measure a person character.

    I am not meaning to poke hole in the article, just sharing my opinion. I think enstilling Christian values into our children is so very important and God chooses different means of doing that for all families.
    posted by Becky
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 10:01 am
  8. I agree with Becky. Marrying young and having a big family is not necessarily better or more Biblical than marrying later and having a small family or even staying single! I love God's beautiful institutions of marriage and family, and hope to experience those someday...but all in God's perfect timing. :)
    posted by Elle
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 11:36 am
  9. I need to clarify a statement in my comment. I meant to say "That should NOT be used to measure a person character." I need to proofread better!
    posted by Becky
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 12:31 pm
  10. Good thoughts ALL! Becky, you raise a valid question when you ask why I believe getting married and having children is important. So let me clarify. While I don't believe everyone should marry and see that the Apostle Paul said you can even serve God better without the responsibility of a family, I also believe strongly that God desires us to marry and that his commission to "be fruitful and in crease in number" is still a worthy calling for women and men. The problem is, this is not valued in our culture today. If you go back to Genesis, God has such a beautiful plan in marriage and parenthood. It's in these gifts and valuing them, that we display the image of God. (See Genesis 1). Then, flip over to the New Testament and examine Ephesians 5:31,32. The marriage relationship is meant to be a picture of Christ and the Church. In a day and age when marriage is under attack either with hostility or complacency, it's refreshing to see that some still love it!
    posted by Dannah Gresh
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 12:33 pm
  11. Great article!

    Lord willing, I will soon graduate from college with a degree and license to teach PreK-3rd grade. I plan to teach in a Christian school, so bring on the info! I hope to, if the Lord makes me a wife and mom, teach my children at home. So, like I said, the more information, the better!
    posted by Audrey
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 1:12 pm
  12. Oh I absolutely agree that marriage and parenthood are a wonderful blessing and a Godly calling! Very well put! I am married and my husband and I are trying for a child and looking forward to that blessing when it comes. There is no stronger desire I have than to be a Godly wife and mother. I was just saying I think we should be careful to encourage our children that marrying young and having a large family is what is considered to be "godly". Some people are called to accomplish other things before they are blessed with marriage and a child. And having a family of 1 or 2 children shouldn't be considered any less of a blessing or calling. My husband and I both received our graduate degrees before getting married and raising a family. Doing so has provided us with more time to devote to our marriage and future children.

    I know this wasn't the point of the article and I am truly not trying to pick it apart. I just want to point out we need to be careful to stop ourselves from thinking a path God chose for 1 family is going to be the same for another and we need to pray on these things.

    One thing I believe is good about public school is with a lot of guidance and prayer a child can learn to be a shining example of Christianity in environments that may not always ask for it.
    posted by Becky
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 1:27 pm
  13. Dannah, thank you. I flew with my daughter to True Woman conference in Chicago the 1st year when you spoke there with Nancy. She was a strong believer before that event, but as a result of your talks, she came away admitting that God had something more for her than a career! She is a real leader & still has career aspirations, but she knows her first calling may be to be a wife & mom if God provides the right man. She is at Biola University & will be running for ASB president next year just because she likes being in charge of things. I am always thankful that God gifts all of us differently, but at the same time, calls us to the same purpose: to glorify Him. I do get tired of those who think women should simply be at home caring for children. I have 7 kids, love being at home, but am also a Teaching Leader for Bible Study Fellowship. Sometimes I am criticized by some in the faith because I am outspoken & I also like being in charge. But, like my daughter, it is what God has given us to use for Him. Fortunately, I have a husband who appreciates being married to someone like me!
    posted by LeeAnn Cheeley
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 2:01 pm
  14. I think the point of the initial commenter was not that the research itself would be out of date, but that because the methods and approaches of the "average" homeschooler has changed so drastically over the last 20 years, the research itself may be accurate, but may not tell this generation of homeschoolers much about what they are likely to expect, and what issues exist... whereas, public and private school are still generally what they were 20 years ago, and thus, the research about these options may be more helpful to those using those options.

    That is my concern as well.
    posted by Jess
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 2:20 pm
  15. Praise the Lord! I so needed to hear this today! Our oldest daughter spent just two months in public school before we realized Christian education was the right choice for us. We returned to public school for just one year before we began homeschooling in middle school. I appreciate the encouragement that the article offers to keep on keepin' on! It's HARD, and though I know the Lord equips us for that to which He calls us, it is refreshing to hear some positive feedback! :)
    www.pamperedchef.biz/anneharing
    posted by Anne
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 3:02 pm
  16. LeeAnn, you encouraged me MUCH-LY today. Tell your daughter "hello" and to keep pressing toward God's heart for marriage and a family. (All the while making a mark on the world.)
    posted by Dannah Gresh
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 3:41 pm
  17. Dannah, thank you for your article.

    As one who's had my two older boys in private, home and public school. It's a difficult decision each family must must prayerfully consider.

    Homeschool families DO need encouragement that the time and effort and sacrifices they are making matter. I thought home education was VERY hard. Some of my dearest friends are doing an amazing job at this. I was not.

    I just want encourage everyone, keep your trust in the Lord and his Son Jesus Christ in whatever schooling choice you make!!! And may the Lord use His people to teach their children to walk in His ways.
    posted by Melissa
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 3:54 pm
  18. Thank you so much for this post. I am a proud homeschool mom of 3 wonderful boys, and a beautiful daughter, who graduated this year, and is now attending college. What a blessing to be an active part of their lives and guide them as they grow into the true woman and true men that God meant for them to be instead of watching them struggle to fit into the mold the world says they should be.
    posted by Sharon W
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 5:13 pm
  19. I salute all parents who homeschool their kids and provide education packed with Biblical values! :D

    <wishing I was homeschooled>
    posted by Janine
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 11:16 pm
  20. I praise and thank my Heavenly Father for allowing my husband and I to home school our children. Our son graduated from Christian Liberty Academy School System last year and our daughter also will graduate from CLASS in 2012! God's Word says that He has no greater joy to know that His children walk in truth. It has been a joy and privilege to train up these children in the way they should go for His Glory!
    posted by Wendy
    on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 11:43 pm
  21. Grateful for you, Dannah, and Nancy and all the staff at ROH. My daughters and I have been very blessed to have your input in our lives in so many areas. Look forward to hearing part 2. Definitely want to know about the risks!
    posted by Amy
    on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 1:51 am
  22. This is interesting to me, particularly because none of the comments/research seem relevant to my experience in Christian Education as a child. As a Christian kid who took what I believed seriously in a Christian school I was mocked and belittled by many other students, targeted as a "teacher's pet". This was very painful and confusing for me. I thought "If this is how I am treated in a Christian school what will it be like when I go to University?" I had never had friends who were not at least nominally Christian and I was terrified of unbelievers. This was so unhealthy. To my surprise I discovered that when I went to Uni most people were tolerant and kind. The majority of my friends in my course were not believers. My faith thrived in this environment due largely to a good Christian student group and I was able to actually share the gospel with others who didn't know it, for the first time in my sheltered life.
    While Christian/home school may be good for some, and I would not ever rule it out for my own children, it can also lead to a dangerous ghetto mentality that renders our faith useless. We need to be wary of this and make sure our kids in the Christian education system or at home stay engaged with their community - the people around them who are lost and dying. This is why my kids are in public schooling and we are delighting in knowing a wide range of people, and in supporting other kids from Christian homes to be a light for Christ in the public school. My 6 year old daughter often shares the gospel with her friends, and in her weekly "news" spot. We are grateful to God for the many opportunities this provides for her, and for us as well, to bring Him glory.
    posted by Karen
    on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 4:25 am
  23. This is interesting to me, particularly because none of the comments/research seem relevant to my experience in Christian Education as a child. As a Christian kid who took what I believed seriously in a Christian school I was mocked and belittled by many other students, targeted as a "teacher's pet". This was very painful and confusing for me. I thought "If this is how I am treated in a Christian school what will it be like when I go to University?" I had never had friends who were not at least nominally Christian and I was terrified of unbelievers. This was so unhealthy. To my surprise I discovered that when I went to Uni most people were tolerant and kind. The majority of my friends in my course were not believers. My faith thrived in this environment due largely to a good Christian student group and I was able to actually share the gospel with others who didn't know it, for the first time in my sheltered life.
    While Christian/home school may be good for some, and I would not ever rule it out for my own children, it can also lead to a dangerous ghetto mentality that renders our faith useless. We need to be wary of this and make sure our kids in the Christian education system or at home stay engaged with their community - the people around them who are lost and dying. This is why my kids are in public schooling and we are delighting in knowing a wide range of people, and in supporting other kids from Christian homes to be a light for Christ in the public school. My 6 year old daughter often shares the gospel with her friends, and in her weekly "news" spot. We are grateful to God for the many opportunities this provides for her, and for us as well, to bring Him glory.
    posted by Karen
    on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 6:41 am
  24. In addition, the purpose of following Christ is not to huddle together without any contact with the outside world, but to spread the news of the gospel and provide saving opportunities with those who don't know Christ. How will that happen if any of us only interact with other Christians. Yes, Proverbs 27:17 says "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another", so it is truly important we keep in close relation with our brothers and sisters in Christ. But I pray my husband and I raise our children to be strong enough to not only stand strong in their faith, but be strong enough to show it to others in settings such as public school...and then their work place when they are older...and so on.

    The research was obviously very well done. But I tend to think these children were simply a product of their environment. I am willing to guess most children who are homeschooled come from extremely loving homes with very dedicated parents. The same cannot be said for all of the children in the public school system simply because there are more of them. I work in the public schools and I see some terrible home situations. But that does not mean that if a child who attends public school is shown the same love and dedication, they will not also grow up to be everything listed in the article. I think this is more of a salute to dedicated, loving parents than anything else.
    posted by Becky
    on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 9:43 am
  25. Karen thank you so much for your honesty, I appreciate seeing it so much! I personally want to raise my children to stand strong in their faith amidst a world that does not accept it at times. Keeping them surrounded by only those who encourage their faith can be a dangerous thing when they are thrust into a world that will do the exact opposite. When are they going to learn to handle these situations unless they are guided through them as children? Of course, there is a gradual process in exposing our children to certain situations.

    In addition, the purpose of following Christ is not to huddle together without any contact with the outside world, but to spread the news of the gospel and provide saving opportunities with those who don't know Christ. How will that happen if any of us only interact with other Christians. Yes, Proverbs 27:17 says "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another", so it is truly important we keep in close relation with our brothers and sisters in Christ. But I pray my husband and I raise our children to be strong enough to not only stand strong in their faith, but be strong enough to show it to others in settings such as public school...and then their work place when they are older...and so on.

    The research was obviously very well done. But I tend to think these children were simply a product of their environment. I am willing to guess most children who are homeschooled come from extremely loving homes with very dedicated parents. The same cannot be said for all of the children in the public school system simply because there are more of them. I work in the public schools and I see some terrible home situations. But that does not mean that if a child who attends public school is shown the same love and dedication, they will not also grow up to be everything listed in the article. I think this is more of a salute to dedicated, loving parents than anything else.
    posted by Becky
    on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 9:44 am
  26. This is a very touchy subject for me. I have mixed emotions about Christian Schooling. I have 2 kids that attended Christian School since 4th & 6th Grade. My daughter just graduated and my son is a Junior. My primary purpose was to instill Christian Values in my kids. They've had some great Teacher/Mentors that have helped them thru academics and tough times. The administration has been good the last 3 years, prior to that I wondered where our Christian name even came from. The issue I've had is the influence of friends has been worse than public school at times. My daughter had a very lonely year her senior year, bc she chose not to participate in activities which left her very isolated. My son followed the crowd for a while and now has had to step back from friends bc of his decision to change. Lots of kids I know feel Christian school kids are the most hypocritical of all kids. They live it in front of the leaders, but not with each other. Somehow the parents and administration can be so oblivious to this, thinking all the kids are doing great. Also, I find at times the administration holds back what God wants to do, which is very frustrating to me. Overall my kids have turned out great and have definitely received some great benefits, but I would not put Christian Schooling in as high of category as I did before I was on the "inside". I have a nephew that was pretty bitter with God for a season bc of all the legalistic rules of the one he attended. I've seen numerous kids in the last 3 graduating classes that have gone on to make very poor decisions and life choices. Somewhere I think we are missing teaching the "Heart" of the these kids to be future leaders and Christians in everyday life, not just for the record book.
    posted by shasta
    on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 1:09 pm
  27. Thank you for this article. I am a homeschooling mom of two kids. Homeschooling has been such a blessing to our family. I respectfully would have to disagree with the commentors who said that homeschooling may be good for some, but can lead to a ghetto mentality and another who said that it is dangerous to keep children away from the world and them put them out into it as adults. We belong to an extremely large group of homeschoolers and there are only a couple of families where the children are sheltered to the point of not being allowed to do anything. Homeschooling allows us the time and freedom to be in the world on a daily basis and witnessing. I can't tell you how many times my children have presented the Gospel to someone in Walmart or on the playgroumd in the afternoon. We have neighbors, family members and friends that are not Christians, so trust me that there is no lack of opportunities to be Light to a world of lost people. Also, if anyone were to research homeschooling there are muliple studies showing that they are very well equipped for adulthood and typically are better prepared to enter the workforce.

    We know plenty of parents who have their children in public school and I know that they love their children just as much as I love mine. I know that there can be hostility between homeschool parents and public school parents, but let me say the it goes both ways. For those who choose public school, you would not want me making ignorant statements about your choice of education, so please tread carefully where home education is concerned. Be informed and please not make assumptions without researching it first. For all of us who are Children of God, we need to encourage and pray for each other, not seek to tear each other down.
    posted by Tracie
    on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 7:27 pm
  28. My children was in a private school and hostel. Here in Namibia (southern Africa) the public schools are not so good any more. But now the only option is private schools. Because of the cost and not being able to be there to help them after school ( we live 100km away on a farm). My husband and I decided to enroll them in a Christian homeschooling programme. Its nice having my children around and we are looking forward to our new way of going to school here on the farm in Namibia. yes we know there will be hard times especially being mom and teacher, but we trust in the Lord and pray everyday and believe that he will carry us through the good and the bad times.
    posted by Marilize
    on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 5:25 pm

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