Reckoning With the Past, Present, and Possibility of American Catholic Schools: What Makes Education Catholic?

• In Event: The Culture and Community With Catholic Schools

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the question of ‘what makes an education Catholic?’ in relation to the notion of the ‘common good’, with particular interest in what this might mean for students from historically marginalized backgrounds, drawing on the experiential and empirical knowledge of eleven Catholic educators. Participants defined what makes an education ‘Catholic’ in several ways, including academic rigor, faith formation, and a strong sense of community and ‘family.’ However, they also recognized that students from marginalized backgrounds may be excluded from this ‘family.' Through critical examination, we call for Catholic educators to remedy the harm caused by systemic ableism through a repaired sense of Catholic education that affirms and dignifies all children.

Authors

• Courtney O'Grady, University of Alabama

• Kathleen M. Sellers, Duke University

• Jonathon E. Sawyer, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Andrew F. Miller, Boston College

• Kevin J. Burke, University of Georgia