THE PHILOSOPHY AND MINISTRY
OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION

In planning for the future of Catholic Education, a number of studies have proven helpful in determining the effectiveness of Catholic schools: Greeley-Rossi (1966), Greeley, McCready and McCourt (1976), Morrison and Hodgkins (1978), Coleman, Hoffer and Kilgore (1981), Fergurson (1983), Bryk and Holland (1984), Gallup (1985), Coleman (1987). This is not an exhaustive list, but serves as an indicator that the study of Catholic school effectiveness has been going on for a lengthy and consistent period of time.

In comparison between the Catholic population and the general American population, these studies indicate that Catholic schools are generally more successful in producing students with:

-Higher academic achievement
-Better self-discipline
-Greater job success and occupational achievement in later life
-A more positive attitude toward other groups in society
-More disciplined work habits
-A greater likelihood of entering the colleges of their choice
-A more sustained life-long academic interest
-A more positive and hopeful view of the world
-A stronger commitment to socially acceptable social behavior
-A greater interest in the common good
-A more positive self-image

When graduates of Catholic schools have been compared with Catholic students graduating from public schools, these studies indicate that Catholic school graduates:

-Have a better knowledge of their faith
-Are consistently more committed to their ecclesial denomination
-Exhibit greater commitment to active parish life
-Achieve an affective and emotional bond with the church that survives the secular and often anti-religious influences within modern American society
-Attend church services more regularly and in greater numbers
-Pray more frequently
-Discuss issues of personal faith more openly
-Are less likely to sever church affiliation
-But when they do, are more likely to return to the church at a later time in life
-Are more responsive to church teaching with regard to issues of social justice