U.S. House and Senate Recognize the Importance of Catholic Schools to the Nation

Leesburg, VA - In support of the National Catholic Educational Association’s (NCEA) 49th National Catholic Schools Week, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced a Senate Resolution on January 26 to officially recognize the valuable contributions of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the United States and designating the first week of February 2023 as “National Catholic Schools Week.” Representative Darin LaHood (R-IL) is leading the resolution in the House.

On January 26, NCEA staff and representatives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and students and educators from Catholic schools gathered on Capitol Hill to advocate for school choice.

“This Senate Resolution directed by Mr. Rubio and Mr. Casey underscores the importance of Catholic school education in the United States,” said Sr. Dale McDonald, NCEA Vice President of Public Policy. “This resolution reflects the collective sentiment of the Senate and specifically acknowledges the academic excellence of Catholic school education and also highlights the Church’s mission of educating the whole student in mind, body and spirit.”

The Senate Resolution acknowledges, “…the key role Catholic schools, students, parents and teachers across the United States play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the United States.”

Both Senate and House Resolutions cite that Catholic schools “…serve the nation by providing a diverse student population from all socioeconomic backgrounds a strong academic and moral foundation, including over 42 percent of students from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and 22 percent from non-Catholic families.”

In celebration of National Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 29 – Feb. 4), the USCCB Committee on Catholic Education and NCEA, invited Members and their education staff to a February 2 lunch briefing on the success and contributions of Catholic schools.

For more information on National Catholic Schools Week and NCEA, please go to: www.NCEA.org/csw, www.NCEA.org and connect with NCEA on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

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In service of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, NCEA strengthens Catholic school communities by convening all stakeholders and providing professional development, data, advocacy and resources to support faith and intellectual formation.