Cardus researches value of Christian education
HAMILTON, ON—Canadian based think-tank Cardus is embarking on a major research study looking at the effect a private Christian education has on Canadian students.
Ray Pennings, director of research for Cardus, says it will be the largest known study of its type.
"We're hoping to create a conversation about education and the possible role that faith-based schools play in the public delivery of education," Pennings says.
"We strongly believe that Christian schools not only serve those who attend them but also the public and society as a whole. It seemed to us that good stewardship required us to examine what outcomes we are achieving from this investment and if there were things we might learn to help us do this better."
Pennings says that the graduates of privately funded Christian schools make up roughly eight per cent of the North American population.
Cardus is aiming to interview 2,000 graduates from across Canada. This will include 1,000 from Christian schools, 500 Christian graduates of the public school system and 500 graduates of privately funded Catholic schools.
Last spring, they released a major survey of American Christian school graduates, which also included interviewing American and Canadian Christian school principals.
Cardus found that privately funded Christian school graduates are more generous, socially focused and committed to family than those who graduate from the public school system. They also found Christian school graduates donate significantly more of their time and money than graduates of other schools, and are less likely to divorce. Christian school graduates also reported being more thankful, and more optimistic about the future.
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