Does Religious Participation Help Keep Adolescents in School?

• NCJ Number: 206994
• Author(s): Nancy A. Gardner
• Date Published: June 2004
• Length: 37 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Ford Foundation; W.K. Kellogg Foundation; George Gund Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; Charles Stewart Mott Foundation; Joseph and May Winston Foundation
• Corporate Author: American Youth Policy Forum
• Sale Source: American Youth Policy Forum
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded September 27, 2004.

Annotation

This study compared the role of participation in "religious" and "secular" participation during the adolescent years in influencing education "success," defined in this study as on-time graduation from high school and total years of educational attainment, especially for poor and minority children.

Abstract

"Religious participation" encompasses participation in nonworship activities through a religious institution, such as a youth group, volunteer work, or classes. "Secular participation," on the other hand, includes involvement in extracurricular activities and participation in nonschool organizations that do not have a religious focus. Data for this study were obtained from the 1988 National Educational Longitudinal Survey. A total of 12,144 individuals participated in all 5 rounds of the survey, which provides data related to the adolescents' background, life circumstances, and decisions. The survey data indicate that most forms of participation in religious activities contributed to on-time graduation from high school and the total years of educational attainment. These findings held true when the sample was restricted to poor or minority youth, although the nature of the association differed somewhat. Participation in secular activities, such as athletic participation, was also associated with successful educational outcomes, as were other family, individual, and contextual characteristics. This report notes that legal mandates regarding the separation of church and state prevent the adoption of governmental policies that directly promote religious participation; however, governmental policymakers can assist youths' religious participation by removing regulatory obstacles and promoting collaboration with religious institutions in achieving positive youth development. 65 references and appended study methodology, factors that influence the likelihood of graduating on time and educational attainment, and a faith-based initiative and the separation of church and state