Around the country, the Catholic Church is celebrating Catholic Schools Week Jan. 27-Feb. 2. During the week, the USCCB blog will feature entries from people who reflect on how their lives were and are impacted by Catholic education. Today, Jim Rigg, Ph.D of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati says Catholic schools are on the rise.
By Jim Rigg, Ph.D.
Catholic schools are thriving as we
embrace Pope Benedict’s declaration of the “Year of Faith” and instill new energy
and passion into Catholic schools. As superintendent, I recognize many challenges that have faced our
schools over the last decades. Nationally, enrollment has declined and many
schools have shut their doors. In spite of this, I see a new momentum behind
Catholic education and a willingness to innovate and think strategically for
the future.
In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, this
year we unveiled a comprehensive strategic plan entitled “Lighting the Way: A
Vision for Catholic Schools.” This Vision introduces dozens of initiatives
designed to provide new support and accountability in the areas of Catholic
identity, academic excellence, leadership, finances, marketing and governance.
Most importantly, this Vision represents a renewal of support for Catholic
schools and a commitment to provide a top-notch, authentically Catholic
education for all who wish to come.
Our plan is not unique. Countrywide,
schools, dioceses, universities and other groups are working similarly. Their
efforts vary in design but are replete with energy, inspiration and innovation.
I see the church embracing our schools like never before and making certain
that they remain central to the wider mission of evangelization.
Several examples of this phenomenon
stand out. Last year, the National
Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary
Schools was released. The document, which emerged from the work of
educators from primary settings to higher education, conveys clear, aggressive
expectations for successful Catholic schools. They encompass such areas as
Catholic identity, academics and operational success. Simultaneously, an effort
has begun to integrate Catholic identity with the emerging Common Core
standards, a national movement to infuse our teaching with new rigor.
U.S. Catholic schools are
experimenting with new models of instruction, such as blended learning or STEMM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine). One successful school
in Cincinnati stands as a global magnet school, where students take multiple
foreign languages, travel overseas as part of their education and experience
global awareness in every class.
Catholic schools continue to fully
embrace a mission to the underprivileged. In many cities, urban Catholic school
enrollment is growing exponentially. The number of Latino students is
increasing. Success rates in serving the poor, as measured by religious and
academic data, remains far above other schools. We are breaking the cycle of
poverty.
Most significantly, we are
experiencing a renewal of the evangelizing mission of Catholic education. Our schools
must live and breathe the Catholic faith, no matter the school population. We are commissioned to spread the Good News of
Christ to the next generation, and our schools are finding new ways to engage
students in a changing world.
Nevertheless, Catholic schools are
not without substantial challenges. The economics of running a Catholic school
are complex. However, there is growing support for Catholic education,
punctuated by innovative and forward-thinking efforts by educators, parents and
supporters. Catholic school education has always been blessed by God. As we
move toward a new future, I know God will continue to bless our endeavors as we
build schools filled with faith.
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Jim Rigg, Ph.D. is Director of
Educational Services and Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese
of Cincinnati.
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