DIOCESAN NEWS
01/27/12
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Schools celebrate 165 years in diocese
Sister Deborah Hughes is superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Jackson. In light of the celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 29 – Feb. 5, she answered the following questions about the state of Catholic schools in the diocese.
Q. What witness is there to the effectiveness of Catholic school education in Mississippi?
The greatest witness to the effectiveness of Catholic education is the fact we’re still here as a Catholic school system after 165 years! We’re a system that reflects parents’ choices and parents will not choose a system that is not effective for their children. Catholic education has survived the test of time in a state that is 2.3 percent Catholic!
Here in Mississippi we have moved from a system built entirely on religious communities of sisters and brothers to a system today that has very few religious who are actively involved in teaching or administering our schools. This attests to the viability of our mission to pass on faith to our young and to help our students develop a lifelong relationship with Jesus.
Our success is a direct result of parish and parental support. This support includes Catholics who want this education for their children, as well as those of other faith traditions who see the value of an education rooted in Catholic principles, as well as quality academics.
When I speak with our principals, I remind them that we stand on the shoulders of men and women who came before us who really established a wonderful reputation for Catholic education in our diocese. Our challenge today is to continue that quality of Catholic education and to continue the mission of Catholic schools that enables as many people at possible in our state to participate and experience the gifts Catholic schools have to offer.
Q. Because of the small percentage of Catholics in Mississippi, is it difficult to employ Catholic teachers?
Yes, it is very difficult because of the salaries that we are able to offer. Salaries for teachers are based on individual local school budgets which are funded through tuition and parish or religious community support as the major source of income. We have no standard salary scale in our diocese.
Each school is funded independently so, consequently local resources vary greatly. We realize teachers in our Catholic schools could be in other school systems and be monetarily compensated to a much greater degree.
Q. How do you maintain Catholic identify in the school system with many non-Catholic teachers?
Our principals are well schooled in the concept that Catholic schools came to be for the primary reason of passing on the Catholic faith. Our teachers today are consistently reminded their goal is to prepare students to be witnesses to Jesus Christ. That is central to the baptismal call we have each received.
I would say 99 percent of our students and our families are Christian and no matter what faith tradition they are, whether they are Catholics or another faith tradition, they understand baptism is significant in their lives and is a call to follow Jesus. Parents who choose our school see this as central to the philosophy of our Catholic schools.
So while we are teaching religion in every school from the Catholic tradition and we’re teaching the dogmas of our Catholic faith to all students, the clear concept our schools stress is, that no matter what faith tradition you are, your baptism as a Christian calls you to be a disciple of Jesus.
While the reason for a Catholic school’s existence is to pass on Catholic faith and values, that just doesn’t happen only in religion class. This happens throughout the entire day, through the words and actions of each and every member of the Catholic school staff from the secretary in the office, to every teacher and classroom aide, to the school janitor.
We have a requirement that each Catholic school in this diocese spend quality time – at least four times a year – doing nothing else but “unpacking” the unique qualities of what it means to be a Catholic school. We have specific programs on Catholic identity themes that every faculty member participates in no matter what their faith tradition might be.
Q. Do Catholic parents feel any responsibility to send their children to Catholic schools?
Not necessarily. The state of the economy and personal circumstances greatly influence parental decisions to make Catholic education a priority.
Catholic schools exist to help parents in their responsibility of passing on the Catholic faith and traditions to their children. Catholic education, hopefully, will influence our Catholic youth to be witnesses of Jesus Christ both now and in their adult lives.
Parents have a very difficult task in raising their children in today’s society and materialistic culture. Catholic education oftentimes necessitates re-prioritizing and many sacrifices for today’s families because of its costs and expectation of parental involvement. I believe parents share with us a sacred trust in terms of inviting us, as Catholic school educators, to be co-partners, co-educators of their children. I believe that cooperative partnership speaks volumes to children.
Q. Do you find any change in attitude towards Catholic schools on a local or state level?
Catholic schools on the state and on the local level are sometimes seen as private schools which serve the “elite” of a given community. Our statistics reflect a reality that is very far from this perception.
Students in our schools are almost evenly numbered right now between Catholics and those of other Christian faith traditions. In our educational ministry, we have the particular challenge and the gift to be able to form the minds and heart of our young people in a climate of Gospel values five days a week. We all know it is the experiences of the formative years that very much influence the adults we become!
From the first meeting we have with the teachers in the diocese I remind them that no matter what they are teaching they are going to be influencing the formation of young people - their ethics, their values, the way they perceive adult Catholics and Christians, and their witness to Jesus.
Q. With the influx of Hispanics in the state has the cultural population of the student body changed?
In the total picture, the composition has changed only slightly.
Q. How do students in Catholic schools compare academically with others?
We continue to make consistent academic progress through our standardized testing of students. We choose to measure student growth and assess students’ progress by using national rather than state standardized tests. Our scores at all grade levels are on the national average or above the national average in the subject areas that are tested.
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