Christian-Published Textbooks and the Preparation of Teens for the Rigors of College Science Courses

Conservative Christian schools consistently earn higher standardized test scores than public schools while being criticized for using inferior curricular materials. This research investigates the effectiveness of Christian-published science textbooks in preparing students for the science reasoning subtest of the American College Testing. Data provide a sketch of the typical Midwest Christian high school and illuminate the rationale for endorsing one publisher-type versus another. Analysis indicates no statistical difference between the mean ACT science reasoning scores of schools using Christian-published science textbooks and those using secular-published textbooks. Multiple regression analysis also shows no significant difference in the effectiveness of two Christian publishers.