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TEXAS BISHOPS’ SUMMIT ON THE FUTURE
OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN TEXAS
- Nancy Collins, Superintendent of Schools
When Pope Benedict XVI visited the US last April, he affirmed our American Catholic schools as “an outstanding apostolate of hope, seeking to address the material, intellectual and spiritual needs of over three million children and students.” In that light, he urged that “their long term sustainability must be assured.” In response to that vision, the Bishops of Texas have convened representatives from each diocese in Texas to focus on key issues and provide a path toward “long term sustainability.”
The summit was held at the American Airlines Training and Conference Center in Ft. Worth, on February 26 – 28. In addition to Bishop Guillory, the Superintendent of Schools, Nancy Collins was in attendance. Other representatives were, Dottie Johnson, Diocesan School Board Member, Principal Mike Collins, St. Catherine School in Pt. Arthur, and Principal Frances Droddy, St. Mary School in Orange.
The desired outcomes of the conference are:
- To develop a strategic vision for the future of Catholic schools in Texas to be implemented on either a statewide or diocesan level by a committed network of advocates;
- To identify statewide and diocesan initiatives that will best serve the current and future needs of our Catholic schools as ministries of our Church;
- To re-emphasize and energize the Catholic identity of all our institutions;
- To develop and recommend alternative funding initiatives and business models for Catholic schools;
- To develop strategies and means to recruit and educate Hispanic families regarding the value, affordability and accessibility of a Catholic school education;
- To explore cost effective and educationally sound options for responding to special needs students within our Catholic schools.
The summit began on Thursday evening with a dinner sponsored by Sadlier Publishing. A representative from the National Catholic Educational Association shared national statistics gathered from the NCEA Databank.
What is the impact of these statistics on the Diocese of Beaumont? Certainly the closing of 1,267 Catholic elementary and secondary schools over the years of 2000-2008 is evident in our area. Currently, we have one Catholic high school, three elementary/middle schools in the Beaumont area, one in Pt. Arthur and one in Orange. Another important statistic is that the Catholic population has declined by 12, 518 from the year 2000 to 2008, and therefore the number baptized reflects that loss.
Probably one of the most shocking national Catholic statistics shared with us was the weakening of attachment to parish life. In 1955 weekly Mass attendance was at 74% and in 2004 the population attending weekly dropped to 45%. What impact does this have on our Catholic schools? Two of the strongest characteristics of our Catholic schools are Catholic identity and our strong supportive communities. These two areas have been cited as exemplary in our accreditation visits by TCCED over the last four years. Our schools are one of the Churches’ instruments of passing on the faith to the children, always keeping in mind that parents are the primary teachers. Service to the local community has also been identified as outstanding. One goal that we will implement next year is to connect our schools more closely with our multiple parishes, as the students in our Catholic schools represent as many as thirty parishes in our diocese.
Who is currently attending our Catholic schools? In comparing our ethnic enrollment to the national statistics, we are currently at 37% Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Multi-Racial, to 20% nationally. Our schools will continue to make welcome all families into our Catholic communities, no matter their ethnicity. Our schools are not for just the rich.
Parents rated the tuition costs and lack of sufficient tuition assistance as the problem in making Catholic school enrollment decisions. Our schools are aware that if more tuition assistance were available, our schools would be full. The uncertain economic times that our country is currently experiencing exacerbates the problems in providing tuition assistance. However, our schools are pledging to make a Catholic education affordable for all families who truly desire a Catholic education. We only ask that families meet with school personnel to discuss and give the schools an opportunity to work out an equitable plan.
The goals as articulated at the summit for responding to special needs of students are already in place in our diocese. The Parent/Student Handbooks of all schools have our vision statement concerning students with learning differences. Our plan will soon be further developed to address assessment, identification, and assisting students. Through professional development, teachers will be able to recognize and identify learning differences and provide appropriate interventions.
The Bishops’ Summit results will continue to be shared with our stakeholders so that together we can work to sustain the schools in our Southeast Texas area. The sharing of information, concerns, and challenges as well as success stories across the 15 dioceses in the state of Texas was truly inspiring. As Cardinal DiNardo shared with us at a liturgy during the summit, our Catholic schools are laboratories for the spiritual formation of our children
“How beautiful are the footsteps of those who bring the good news.” (Rom 10:15-17)
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