Catholic schools seen reacting to changes in public schools

The State Legislature agreed to create 100 new charter schools, which are public schools created by parents, educators, or local groups that are directly accountable to the state rather than local public school districts.

"Perhaps it seems like good news," said Sister Carol Cimino, SSJ, executive director of the Catholic School Administrators Association of New York State (CSAANYS). "A limited number of charter schools will be established with many of the accoutrements linked to educational reform: more parental involvement, fewer cumbersome regulations, more freedom to innovate.

"For many children, this is a wonderful opportunity to escape failing schools; for many parents, this is a chance to have input into their local school; for these schools, there is the opportunity to try out teaching techniques that work. In fact, the African-American, Hispanic and Native American communities are very excited about the possibilities of creating schools with their own special character."

Problems

"For many, the establishment of charter schools may cause confusion," Sister Carol said. "Remember, these are public schools. When they start searching for buildings, they will surely look at closed Catholic schools. Will the message be that a Catholic school is reopening? Will the charter school, located in a parish building, be a serious competitor for the Catholic school in the same neighborhood? It's already happened in California."

Sister Mary Jane Herb, IHM, superintendent of schools for the Albany Diocese also has concerns about charter schools. "It's a two-edged sword," she said. "We support the idea of school choice, and charter schools are one form of choice. But it's free. Why would parents choose to pay tuition?"

Challenges

Currently, she said, the Albany Diocese does not have a policy on leasing closed Catholic school buildings for use as charter schools.

But closing Catholic schools and reopening them as charter schools is not an option, according to Sister Carol: "There's been a great deal of confusion. In Phoenix and Chicago, they're looking at Catholic charter schools. You can't do that."

Those who support the idea of Catholic charter schools suggest that religion would be taught prior to the school day or after school. However, faith permeates all curricula in a Catholic school, Sister Carol said, so these allegedly Catholic charter schools wouldn't really be Catholic.

Early years

Prior to the Universal Pre-K program, public schools didn't offer Pre-K programs while Catholic schools did. According to Sister Jane, most of the schools in the Diocese offer Pre-K.

Catholic schools in Saratoga Springs and Schenectady have been awarded Universal Pre-K contracts by public school districts. These Catholic schools provide space and staffing for this public school program while offering their own separate Pre-K programs that include religion.

Competition

"In Buffalo, Catholic schools are already loosing children to Universal Pre-K," Sister Carol said. The challenge is how Catholic Pre-K programs can compete with free public school programs.

"We need to emphasize what we do best," she said. "Schools need to say to parents: `You can go to public school Pre-K or Catholic school. What do you want for your children? Do you want them to spend their day in a Christian atmosphere?'"

Sister Jane agreed and said Catholic Pre-K programs need to be marketed just as Catholic schools are -- as values-based education: "It's a matter of marketing and educating the population, and saying, `This is what we offer and what we put a priority on.'"

Meeting needs

"The reality is that for Pre-K and kindergarten students, parents aren't necessarily looking for the values-based piece," Sister Jane said. "They're looking to meet their needs."

In order to continue to meet the needs of the community, Catholic schools need to be involved in long-range planning. "Where there is no vision, the people perish," Sister Carol said. "If we stand around doing nothing, we will have nothing."

(04-08-99) [[In-content Ad]]