OACS News Service

Originally posted on the Nurturing Faith Blog
The Cardus Survey results
Wednesday November 9, 2011 -- By Dan Beerens, author and education consultant
Part 1, originally published Sept. 26
Cardus released an executive summary in May 2011 of the results of its two-year, largest-ever study of Christian education called The Cardus Education Survey, and a full summary in August 2011. (We previously introduced the Cardus Survey in Nurturing Faith in January 2010 – see this link for more background information.) The study sought to answer the question: “Are the motivations and outcomes of Christian education aligned?” In other words, are we getting the kinds of results that we are expecting from our efforts to educate Christianly? The study attempted to measure three specific outcomes: spiritual formation, cultural engagement, and academic preparation.

The short answer, thankfully, is yes! The research results indicate that there is evidence of alignment between our missions and our student outcomes. However, there seems to be, as always, room for greater awareness and improvement. As news sources reported, there were differences between the results from Catholic and Protestant schools, and as one source simplified it: “Protestant Schools Focus on Faith; Catholic Schools Focus on Intellect”.

What is the profile of the typical Protestant school? The Cardus Survey suggests this summary statement: “Protestant Christian school graduates have been found to be uniquely compliant, generous individuals who stabilize their communities by their uncommon and distinctive commitment to their families, their churches, and their communities, and by their unique hope and optimism about their lives and the future.”

Are the findings above exciting or disappointing to you? While I am gratified and pleased that Protestant education is turning out stable, thankful, generous family and community members, it seems to fall a bit short of many of our transformational, world engaging, culture changing missions. The authors of the Survey ask, “What if Christian school leaders were more audacious in their goals, expecting students to be unwaveringly committed both to their families and to being a part of culture through politics, the arts, and the world of ideas?” and “What if Christian schools would inspire students to develop a ‘whole gospel’ mindset – reverence for creation, acknowledgment of the fall, worship of the Redeemer, and a taste for restoration – rather than a more narrowly-focused understanding of Biblical roles as husbands, wives, fathers, mothers?”

The results of this survey provide us with very valuable information that we can use as a springboard for more discussion – let’s not miss this opportunity to engage our school communities. Cardus has provided us with some excellent follow-up tools such as a facilitator’s guide and a pre-made Powerpoint to facilitate discussion in our communities. Let’s continue this dialogue also on this site in coming months.

Part 2, originally published Oct. 22
It seems appropriate to celebrate the positive results of Protestant Christian school education that we see through the research contained within the Cardus survey. As Christians we sometimes have difficulty celebrating the goodness and grace of God in our lives.

Yet here are many things worthy of celebration! Compared to their public school, Catholic school, and non-religious private school peers, Protestant Christian school students do the following:

• Show a higher level of commitment to their families, churches, and larger society
• Donate more money despite having lower household incomes
• Are more generous with their time
• Participate more in service trips for relief and development and in mission trips for evangelization
• Make family a top priority and consequently divorce less frequently
• Are more thankful for what they have in life
• Do not feel helpless when dealing with problems in life
• Report greater direction in their lives
• Are committed to progress in their communities
• Practice spiritual disciplines more frequently
• Are more committed to their churches
• Follow church teachings to a greater degree
• Use Scripture more to make moral decisions
• Believe religion should be a part of the public debate on social and political issues
• Demonstrate a theological sense of vocation

Christian educators should feel a sense of joy and satisfaction when thinking of the hours of prayer, instruction, correction and direction that go into being a part of producing students with the kinds of qualities listed above. We are also grateful for God’s grace in the lives of students in our schools. Who would not be proud of students displaying these wonderful qualities? Certainly our students make the world a better place and contribute significantly to daily life through their “faithful presence” and their obedience to Christ in living out their faith. We have much to be thankful for!

These blog entries were originally posted on Dan Beerens' Nurturing Faith blog.

 

Dan Beerens worked for Christian Schools International from 2006 to 2010 and continues to provide them consulting services (see www.danbeerens.com). He also conducts independent consulting for schools. Follow Dan on Twitter: @DanBeerens

Curator's Note:
The Cardus Education Survey was discussed at the OACS 59th AGM and Governance Conference, held Nov. 5, 2011. Deani Van Pelt of Redeemer University College and Michael Van Pelt of Cardus presented to attendees, reviewing the survey results.

Related Stories:
Christian school motivations, outcomes assessed in study

Study confirms Christian education value, opens pathways for future

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