Michigan law defines Catholic schools as nonpublic schools, yet they very much provide a public benefit to society. That is the case the Michigan Catholic Conference presents in the latest edition of its Focus publication, “Catholic Education: A Public Benefit to the State of Michigan,” which is available in print or online at micatholic.org/schools.
The provision of education has long been seen as a public good. All people benefit from more children being provided with opportunities to flourish. To that end, the MCC publication demonstrates that Catholic schools in Michigan consistently deliver results.
Catholic schools already hold a reputation for academic excellence, educating children at high levels and preparing them for postsecondary education and the workforce. They form virtuous citizens and leaders that Michigan needs, and so the fruits of Catholic education benefit everyone in our state.
For a good to be considered public, it must be accessible. Catholic schools are widely available to those who wish to attend, perhaps more than many individuals realize. The Focus publication provides several examples to illustrate this point.
First, Catholic education is not a Catholics-only education ministry. One Catholic school principal in St. Joseph told MCC one of her school families described themselves as atheists. Another Catholic school principal in Marquette said, “If you are looking for an education that will help your child think clearly, communicate effectively, and seek wisdom and truth ... this place is for you.”
Second, unlike their public counterparts, Catholic schools do not receive additional funding for enrolling children with special needs. While local school circumstances play a role, Catholic schools across Michigan are increasingly accommodating students of all learning abilities. In Focus, you will read about a Catholic school in Monroe that has established itself as a model that schools across the country are following for establishing an inclusive learning environment for children with special needs.
Finally, some individuals assume Catholic and other nonpublic schools, because they charge tuition, are reserved for the wealthy. Not all families who attend Catholic schools, however, can afford to do so. If a family wants a Catholic education, the school tries to make it work. To eliminate the gaps, the Church — from schools and their alumni to the associated parishes, and up to the diocese — engage in extensive efforts to make Catholic education financially accessible for everyone.
By demonstrating that Catholic schools serve a diverse population of students and families, Focus communicates to a broader audience the importance of supporting students in all education settings.
This principle drives MCC’s public policy advocacy, particularly as it relates to Catholic and nonpublic schools receiving equitable access to state-funded services intended to benefit all students. That includes funding to make sure school buildings are safe, mental health needs are addressed, and children have access to healthy meals, among other budgetary provisions.
The new Focus accompanies MCC’s other extensive efforts to persuade policymakers to include equitable support for nonpublic school students in the next state budget, which lawmakers, at the time of this writing, are still working to complete before the new fiscal year starts in October.
These efforts to raise awareness and ensure Catholic schools are recognized for the public benefit they provide the state of Michigan are important to advancing the common good for all in education.
Paul A. Long is president and CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference, the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state. The Word from Lansing is a regular column for Catholic news outlets provided by Michigan Catholic Conference.
