Next week the nation will mark Catholic Schools Week. This annual celebration is designed to highlight the great contributions that Catholic schools make to our nation and also here in Rhode Island.
There are more than 8,000 Catholic schools in the United States serving more than 2.6 million students. Here in the State of Rhode Island our Catholic school system of 43 elementary schools and high schools educates nearly 13,000 students annually.
National studies indicate that parents choose Catholic education for their children for three important reasons: higher academic achievement, safe and disciplined learning environment and a comprehensive education including Catholic religious education and strong moral values. A fact often overlooked is Catholic schools also provide a very substantial financial gift to our nation as nationally Catholic schools provide over $15 billion savings to local, state and federal governments. Catholic schools in the Ocean State provide the overburdened public school system a vast savings that is in the millions annually. This savings to both local and state government would not exist if Catholic school students attended public schools.
However, our Catholic schools face many challenges today and in the future. Chief among these challenges are financial and they are real and in some cases, urgent. While the majority of our schools in Rhode Island are healthy, it is those in the urban core that face the continuing pressure of increasing costs, rising tuitions and as a result, often a decline in enrollment. The closing of a Catholic School results in increased costs to local and state government. Without more commitment to school choice for all families by our state's leaders, more families may be forced to leave the Catholic School System and head to the already overcrowded public schools.
By allowing Rhode Island families – especially those struggling in poverty – a choice in their child’s education through initiatives such as vouchers, parents would be empowered to provide the education of their choice to their children. Not only are parents provided “school choice” but Catholic schools are able to educate students for much less than public school averages and with better results.
Too many politicians are often fearful of the wrath of the well-financed and high paid public school lobby who stroll the corridors of power in our state advocating for the corpulent public teachers unions. In this state of fear, they have consistently failed to recognize the potential power of the nearly 13,000 Rhode Island Catholic school families. The voice of these families must be heard as they call out for the legitimate support of Catholic education through school choice legislation. Catholic school parents pay taxes on top of school tuition yet they continue to be treated as "second class" citizens by too many politicians. As we mark Catholic Schools Week and celebrate their excellence as well as their contribution to our state, let state leaders make school choice an option for all families in Rhode Island.
