The skyrocketing costs of education have a profound impact on individual families who choose to send their children to Catholic schools. Currently 180,000 students are enrolled in Catholic school, which is the largest student population of any of the Commonwealth’s nonpublic and private schools. But, just in the last nine years Catholic schools lost over 25% of their total student population. This puts a strain on those who wish to keep Catholic schools open for their children. Furthermore, for the last three years Catholic schools did not receive the technology funding from the Commonwealth that all public schools did.
“We have to do something,” says Sean P. McAleer, Director of Education for the PCC. “If we do not speak up on behalf of Catholic school students, we will continue to be left out of key education programs. Together we will make a difference and put Catholic education as a top priority in the minds of all legislators. By joining together and taking action, we can and will make a difference for our children.”
The PCC is seeking volunteers to get involved. Anyone can help regardless of time constraints; a computer and an email address is all that is needed. Volunteer advocates should contact their diocesan ACE-PA coordinator or Sean McAleer at smcaleer@pacatholic.org or 717-238-9613.ACE-PA members will be updated on important news about Catholic education and on occasion will be invited to contact their state legislators about a number of education issues.
The PCC has an important education agenda for the 2009-2010 legislative session. To be successful, as many concerned advocates as possible must speak up about these key issues. On the agenda:
- Monitor and promote passage of a state budget with appropriate increases for existing transportation, auxiliary services, and textbook programs.
- Support and promote proportionate technology funding.
- Support and promote increase in EITC.
- Support and promote religious childcare legislation.
- Monitor legislation that would be harmful to Catholic schools and students.
- Support and promote special education funding legislation.
- Assist in developing and promoting federal tax credit legislation for individuals and businesses to promote parental choice in education.
- Monitor and oppose proposals harmful to Catholic Schools regarding the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).
The energy, enthusiasm and Catholic school spirit of sincerely concerned parents, educators and taxpayers is the key to advancing Catholic education for our children now and in the future. Please sign up ACE-PA today.
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PCC Column November 2008 by A.B. Hill, Communications Director of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference – the public affairs arm of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops and the Catholic dioceses of Pennsylvania.
