This list of “impressive statistics” was compiled for the occasion of the National Congress on Catholic Schools for the 21st Century, held in Washington, D.C., in November 1991.

Questions

1. Notice that the statistics are attributed to the research of the U.S. Department of Education and Dr. James S. Coleman; how does this influence your reading of the “Facts about Catholic Education,” if at all?

2. Based on the facts listed, do Catholic schools seem to place greater value on academic achievement or religious formation? Provide textual support for your answer.

3. As a follow-up to #2, does this emphasis signfy a change from Catholic schools’ priorities in the earlier part of the century? How?

4. How does a list like this relate to parental choice in American education?