Video describes challenges facing Catholic Schools |
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Written by ANGELA KESSLER, Chronicle Editor
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Tuesday, 26 January 2010 19:30 |
TOLEDO—A video of Bishop Leonard P. Blair describing the many challenges facing Catholic schools in the Diocese of Toledo is to be shown at Masses at the beginning and end of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 30-Feb. 7.
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| To watch the complete video, click on "Multimedia" in the navigation bar to the left and then select "Videos." Or listen to the unedited audio from the video by clicking here. |
In about 10 minutes, the bishop describes the state of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Toledo, citing their many accomplishments and documenting the challenges.
With 67 elementary schools and 14 high schools, the diocese serves more than 21,000 students and ranks 24th in the nation in the number of Catholic students, he says. In addition, 99 percent of those students graduate from high school and 95 percent pursue higher education.
He praises the nine schools in the diocese that have been designated national schools of excellence by the United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon program.
In the video he also discusses the quality of education students in diocesan Catholic schools receive, pointing to consistently high test scores. Specifically, he says, diocesan Catholic high school students have passing rates on Ohio Graduation Test that are “almost 13 percent higher than the state average for public high school students.”
The success of diocesan Catholic schools students is also evident in their religion instruction.
“When it comes to our students’ instruction in the Catholic faith, national assessment testing places our student 3.5 percent higher than the national average,” he says.
But with the many accomplishments, Catholic schools today are also facing many more challenges, Bishop Blair says.
“That is why I feel it is important for me to share with you, the Catholic people, some of the disturbing trends that adversely affect our Catholic schools and even threaten their future,” he says.
Compared to 10 years ago, the Diocese of Toledo has experienced a 26 percent decline in the number of students attending its schools and there are 20 percent fewer schools, he says.
“This trend, if it continues, threatens the very existence of many of our schools,” the bishop says.
He acknowledges the changing economy and demographics of northwest Ohio play a part in the decline. In addition, he says, fewer Catholics practicing their faith is another reason enrollment is down.
“This is another reason why evangelization efforts and outreach to non-practicing Catholics are so important,” he says.
Bishop Blair talks about the sacrifices made by many for Catholic schools. Not only do parents pay tuition, but both sisters and lay teachers are paid significantly less than their public school counterparts. Parishes must also subsidize schools’ operating costs as tuition covers less than 40 percent of the actual cost to educate a child, he says.
Ten years ago, the “One Faith Many Blessings” capital campaign allowed for tuition assistance. Since 2006, $430,000 has helped 700 students with scholarships based on financial need. This year 205 scholarships were awarded, but more than 1,000 applications were submitted.
“The diocese continues to offer direction, guidance and help,” Bishop Blair says. “But as always, the ‘make it or break it’ of a Catholic school is the local Catholic community, not just as separate parishes but working together in support of Catholic education. I hope that my words to you today will bring about greater awareness, renewed commitment and more
cooperative effort, so that even as things change in the face of new challenges, we will be able to hand on to the future the precious legacy of Catholic schools we have received from the past.”
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 May 2010 13:34 |
