God, Grades, and Graduation: Religion's Surprising Impact on Academic Success.

The article reviews Ilana Horwitz's 2022 book, "God, Grades, and Graduation: Religion’s Surprising Impact on Academic Success," which explores the influence of religious upbringing on educational outcomes. Horwitz utilizes quantitative data from the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR) and qualitative interviews to argue that a strong religious upbringing, characterized by what she terms "religious restraint," positively affects students' educational trajectories, particularly in secondary and higher education. The book highlights the benefits of religious socialization for working- and middle-class students while also addressing the limitations and challenges faced by professional-class students, especially women, in reconciling religious commitments with career aspirations. Horwitz's work contributes to a nuanced understanding of the intersection between religion and education, emphasizing the need for careful definitions and considerations of diverse religious experiences. [Extracted from the article]