A strong belief in a higher power may correspond to higher grades.
Students who see themselves as "very religious" are more likely to finish college and have higher academic achievement than those who are less religious, according to a recent University of Florida study.
Ana Puig, the study's research director and affiliate UF faculty member in counselor education, said the findings do not mean that students must be very religious to do well in school, but those who do perform well usually have a strong religious dedication.
Puig said other variables, such as socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, type of religion, prior academic achievement and parental involvement were also considered in the recent analysis of the data.
Puig said that while this study is a controversial, it should affect how students, teachers and counselors interact.
"Of course, we are not saying that religion must be included in the school structure, but when children raise an issue of religion, it is important to listen to what they have to say and provide encouragement instead of dancing around the issue or avoiding it all together," she said.
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