Why did people go in the first place?

Reader comment on: Who Killed Catholic Schools?

Submitted by james (United States), Jul 27, 2018 13:01

I think a major issue that needs to be considered is, why did people opt for Catholic schools in the first place? It's anecdotal, sure, but: My family sent us kids to a private Catholic school, as the education there was superior to what was provided by public schools in the area (the only other viable option). Back then, there was also the view that Catholic schools would provide a superior moral foundation for children. Now the Catholic school is viewed as an inferior option to public schools, and there are strong doubts about the moral teachings of the institution.

Another part of the issue is the old "farm vs city" thing. Sure, in New York or other cities a teacher may make a six-figure salary in a public school. In a rural community it's simply not going to happen. At least where I grew up, Catholic private schools provided a better pay and benefits. (The idea that the teachers were primarily nuns or clergy is simply false; while some acted as teachers, the vast majority of teachers were lay employees, many of whom weren't even Catholic.) More powerful teacher's unions and fewer folks in the pews (and thus dollars in the collections plate) would result in this no longer holding true.

Finally, what is taught in churches must be considered. Several families pulled out of the Catholic school I went to over religious differences with the local clergy--whether the clergy was involved in the school or not.

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