A descriptive study of facilities, faculty, staff, curriculum, and finances in grades K-12 in schools sponsored by the Church of God in the continental United States

The purpose of the study was to examine the status of facilities, faculty, staff, curriculum, and finances of the Church of God schools, K-12, in the continental United States and make recommendations concerning the continued growth and development of the schools.

The population under investigation involved 142 institutions listed in the Church of God Christian School Directory, 1984. Ninety-seven of the schools completed and returned the survey instrument.

A questionnaire was developed by the author to collect the data. It consisted of five major areas: facilities, faculty, staff, curriculum, and finances. The principal or chief administrator of each of the participating institutions responded to the questionnaire.

Findings were summarized in the five major areas studied. Some important findings of the study included the following:

1. Church of God schools were not established as a result of civil unrest demonstrated in the sixties and early seventies. Sixty-five percent of all schools responding to the survey were established since 1978.

2. Survey results suggested that facilities other than libraries, science laboratories, faculty lounges/ music and band studios, and gymnasiums were adequate.

3. A small percentage of the faculty did not receive a salary.

4. Pastors of the sponsoring churches took an active role in practically all areas of the school operation, but most often in an advisory capacity.

5. Faculty and staff salaries were quite low across the board in comparison with public schools.

6. Fringe benefits were lacking in all areas surveyed for both faculty and staff.

7. The curriculum used by the schools was basically of two types: A. Accelerated Christian Education or similar materials B. Conventional programs using materials by Christian publishers where possible.

8. The teaching of Bible as a subject was given a prominent place in the curriculum of all schools.

9. The primary sources of income for all schools and only sources for many schools were student fees.