Like many other ills that afflict society, it now appears that the so-called “achievement gap” between white and black students is also a byproduct of secular progressive policies. “Using analyses of the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS) and meta-analysis, I present data that indicate that in religious, mostly Christian, schools, the achievement gap between white and minority students, as well as between children of high- and low-socioeconomic status, is considerably smaller than in public schools,” William H. Jeynes states.
Jeynes published his findings in the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion this year. “One of the most notable findings that emerges from this study is that using the NELS dataset, when African-American and Latino children who are religious and come from intact families are compared with white students, the achievement gap disappears,” Jeynes writes. “Other findings indicate that religious schools have more racial harmony, fewer drug problems, and a more demanding curriculum than do public schools, features that probably help to explain the smaller achievement gap.”
Jeynes completed his research while at California State University at Long Beachin the university’s Department of Education, hardly a right-wing think tank. He is also a non-resident research fellow at the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion.
Not Ready for College Players
When contrarian commentator Charles Murray said recently that only a quarter of the population, max, could benefit from a college education, he may not have been that far off the mark. “While most high school teachers across subject areas believe that meeting their state’s standards prepares students for college-level work, most postsecondary instructors disagree,” the ACT found.
“High school teachers believe state standards are preparing students well for college-level work; however, roughly 65 percent of postsecondary instructors responded that their state’s standards prepared students poorly or very poorly for college-level work in English/writing, reading and science,” according to the ACT. “This finding strongly suggests that a gap still exists between what colleges believe is important for college readiness and what state standards are requiring teachers to teach.”
When asked, “How well do you think your state’s standards prepare students for college-level work in your content areas?” those who answered “well” or “very well” on the ACT survey included:
• 33 % of postsecondary instructors of English/Writing
• 36 % of postsecondary instructors in Reading (Shouldn’t they have this one nailed before they get to college?)
• 42 % of postsecondary math teachers and
• 32 % of postsecondary science instructors.
Clinton Rehab Fails
Despite their best efforts, academics cannot whitewash the stigma attached to America’s 42nd first lady and, by extension, her husband who famously declared that voters were getting “two for the price of one” in electing the couple. “More than one in five Democrats (22.1%) believe Hillary Clinton is either ‘very corrupt’ or ‘somewhat corrupt,’” according to Judicial Watch, “39.3 % of self described political independents believe Hillary Clinton is ‘very corrupt’ or ‘somewhat corrupt.’”
The group released its findings at the National Press Club earlier this month. And here’s the kicker: “46.4 % of self-described political liberals strongly agree that bigger government leads to more corruption,” JW found.
Ironically, the current occupant of the White House, whom academics demonize, has been something of an angel to his predecessor and his bride whom most professors voted for. President Bush has derailed all attempts by federal investigators to investigate corruption in the Clinton White House, JW chairman Tom Fitton pointed out in the National Press Club meeting.
Malcolm A. Kline is the executive director of Accuracy in Academia.