Nation’s Report Card
The following information will provide you with reasons that we feel that the education children receive at Zion is truly excellent. Many schools often tout the quality schooling they offer, but few can truly back such a statement with facts. Well, we have the facts (and from an unbiased source!). Read on to see what Zion has to offer academically.
The Test:
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as “The Nation’s Report Card” is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what American students know and can do in various subject areas. This report samples a representative population of school types throughout the country. The seven types of schools analyzed are as follows:
- Public Schools
- Lutheran Schools
- Catholic Schools
- Conservative Christian
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Department of Defense
- State Department of Education
From these groups, grades 4, 8, and 12 (where available) were assessed in the areas of Math, Reading, Science, and Writing. Data has been gathered and compared for 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2005. This data will be updated as more information becomes available.
The Results:
| Science | |||
| 4th Grade average scores | |||
| Year/School | Lutheran | Public | Catholic |
| 2000* | 166 | 147 | 161 |
| *2000 was the most recent data available as of 12/06 | |||
| 8th Grade average scores | |||
| Year/School | Lutheran | Public | Catholic |
| 2000* | 169 | 149 | 165 |
| *2000 was the most recent data available as of 12/06 | |||
| Mathematics | |||
| 4th Grade average scores | |||
| Year/School | Lutheran | Public | Catholic |
| 2000 | 241 | 224 | 237 |
| 2003 | 245 | 234 | 244 |
| 2005 | 245 | 237 | 244 |
| 8th Grade average scores | |||
| Year/School | Lutheran | Public | Catholic |
| 2000 | 272 | 272 | 284 |
| 2003 | 296 | 276 | 289 |
| 2005 | 293 | 278 | 290 |
| Reading | |||
| 4th Grade average scores | |||
| Year/School | Lutheran | Public | Catholic |
| 2002 | 236 | 217 | 234 |
| 2003 | 232 | 216 | 235 |
| 2005 | 231 | 217 | 234 |
| 8th Grade average scores | |||
| Year/School | Lutheran | Public | Catholic |
| 2002 | 281 | 263 | 281 |
| 2003 | 281 | 261 | 281 |
| 2005 | 280 | 260 | 280 |
| Writing | |||
| 4th Grade average scores | |||
| Year/School | Lutheran | Public | Catholic |
| 2002* | 167 | 153 | 166 |
| *2002 was the most recent data available as of 12/06 | |||
| 8th Grade average scores | |||
| Year/School | Lutheran | Public | Catholic |
| 2002* | 168 | 152 | 172 |
| *2002 was the most recent data available as of 12/06 | |||
According to the NAEP’s publication, Comparing Private Schools and Public Schools Using Hierarchical Linear Modeling, the following is apparent: “The initial difference between Lutheran schools and all public schools was substantially larger (19.5 points) than was the case for all private schools.”
Please go to the links section of our website to view the National Report Card.
A note from the head teacher:
As head teacher, I want to be clear, that the purpose of displaying these results is not to disparage other schools. These scores represent a national, not local, average. I have the utmost respect for the Kearney Public School system and the local Kearney Catholic High School. But I do feel that these results unequivocally display the academic excellence offered by Lutheran Schools. This is something we have to be proud of! Zion Lutheran School of Kearney is no exception to these results – last year’s achievement tests placed all current classes above grade level; last year’s 7th graders scored three grade equivalencies ahead of the national norms! Should you choose to send your child to Zion, you can rest assured that a Christian education translates into excellence, not mediocrity!
Anthony Splittgerber
Head Teacher
Zion Lutheran School of Kearney