Education matters. How society communicates that value depends on our
perspective.
Investment bankers and the financial community infused our culture
with the notion of "Risk and Return." This point-counterpoint illustration quickly
took hold in all walks of life. Because society has no greater duty than caring for and
educating its young, the concept of Risk and Return broadens out to take on a whole new
meaning.
Societal Risks of Inadequate
Education
• unprepared workforce
• workforce that cannot sustain families and society
• adults without the moral framework to continue commitments to institutions
benefiting society
Peter Lynch, the celebrated financial manager, is a vigorous supporter of
Catholic schools. Speaking before Catholic educators in July, 1998, Lynch remarked,
"Changes in job requirements in the last 20 years have made education even more
essential. There are no jobs today for people without education."
Catholic Education Returns
To Society
• a productive and prepared workforce
• leaders for our civic communities and our faith
• adults who are responsive and responsible citizens
Catholic schools commit to reaching the whole child – spiritually,
intellectually and socially.
Our graduates are prepared to lead and serve the community and the Church.
The Proof Is In Our Returns
Catholic school students are working to better society today. During
this school year, they gave more than 145,000 hours of service to the community.
• National polls indicate that 80% of active Catholics are graduates
of Catholic schools. Our graduates form the nucleus of parish leadership.
• Catholic school graduates who are active in their parish give
generously to support the work of the Church.
 |
Comparative
Costs of Education
Costs for Our Catholic
Schools
$69,748,645 |
Savings to
State of Missouri
$113,513,263 |
Catholic
schools provide affordable education. For the 2007-08 school year, our Catholic community
spent $69,748,645 on education. If our students returned to their public districts, an
additional $1123,513,263 in public funds would be needed. State expenditure figures
confirmed by Missouri Department of Education, School Finance Office. |
Pupil-To-Teacher Ratios
Our
Catholic Schools
16/1 |
State of
Missouri
19/1 |
Catholic schools offer
students personal attention. Figures confirmed by Missouri Department of Education, Core
Data Division. |
Annual
Graduation Rates
Our
Catholic Schools
99% |
State of
Missouri
86% |
Catholic
schools have a virtually non-existent drop-out rate. Figure based on the number of
students beginning their 12th year and graduating in the spring. State graduation rates
confirmed by Missouri Department of Education, Core Data Division. |
Graduates
Going
On To College
Our
Catholic Schools
97% |
State of
Missouri
69% |
Catholic
schools promote education as a life-long process. Figure based on the number of graduates
enrolling in four-year colleges or universities. Follow-up reports developed by Missouri
Department of Education, Core Data Division. |
Composite
ACT Scores
Our
Catholic Schools
24.3 |
National
Average
21.6 |
Catholic
schools encourage all students to prepare for college. Diocesan reports verify that
94% of
our students take the ACT. The most recent ACT statistics confirm that only 70% of Missouri graduates
took the ACT. For public school students in Missouri, the college
entrance examination score was 21.6. |
Composite I.T.B.S. Scores
Grade 5
Our
Catholic Schools
94% |
National
Average
50% |
The Iowa Test
of Basic Skills is not administered by the State of Missouri as an assessment tool. A
comparative analysis of our Catholic school sixth grade students with peers nationwide
best describes our overall achievement. Our students’ composite national percentile
rank of 94 means that our students scored higher than 94% of all fifth grade students
nationally. |
|
How Our
Catholic Schools Compare With The Nation
Annually, the Diocese of
Kansas City ~ St. Joseph requires that all elementary schools administer
the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) to
all 4th and 6th Grade students. Additionally, many schools administer
the test to 3rd, 5th and 7th Grade students.
 |
Back to the top of the page
|
