Overview

From 2006 to 2009, the project gathered massive amounts of data about the academic achievement and abilities of 51,706 students in more than 800 Adventist elementary schools and academies in the United States. The students were in grades 3 to 9, and also in grade 11. Every conference and nearly every school participated.

The study was designed to show how well students are doing in the Adventist school system and how their academic achievement compares to the achievement of students in other school systems. Standardized Iowa achievement tests were given each year to gather this data.

In addition to measuring knowledge and skills with achievement tests, the researchers wanted to assess students’ ability to learn, adapt, solve problems and understand instructions—their aptitude. The Cognitive Abilities Test was used each year to gather this data.

Finally, students, parents, teachers and school administrators were surveyed to help identify factors that might influence academic achievement and thinking ability.

In all grades, in schools of all sizes, students in Adventist schools outperformed the national average in all subjects.

PURPOSE

The CognitiveGenesis study, a project undertaken by La Sierra University and the North American Division Office of Education, set out to answer these questions:

  1. How well are students doing academically in the Adventist school system?
  2. How does academic performance in Adventist schools compare to academic performance in public schools and other private schools?
  3. What student, home and school factors are associated with higher academic achievement?
  4. What areas could be improved to provide the best possible education?

DESIGN

The study included 51,706 students from Adventist elementary schools and academies in the United States. Academic achievement was assessed by standardized testing using Iowa Tests of Basic Skills4 (elementary grades) and Iowa Tests of Educational Development5 (high school). Student ability was assessed with the Cognitive Abilities Test.

Students, parents, teachers and administrators were also surveyed to identify factors that might influence scholastic achievement.

In the United States, every conference and almost every Adventist elementary school and academy participated.

FINDINGS

  1. Students in all grades, in Adventist schools of all sizes, outperformed the national average in all subjects.
  2. Students in Adventist schools had higher-than-expected academic achievement based on an assessment of individual ability.
  3. Students who transferred to Adventist schools saw a significant improvement in their test scores. Also, the longer students stayed in the Adventist school system, the more they gained in achievement and ability.

TEAM

ELISSA KIDO, ED.D.
Project Director
La Sierra University

JEROME THAYER, PH.D.
Project Statistician
Andrews University

“The longer students are in our schools, the better their achievements and abilities.”

DR. KIDO

Numbers Matter