Hudson and Fournier: Catholic Countdown to Election 2012. True Educational Reform Passes Through School Choice

10/31/2012

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affect the public school system and that supporters of school choice are against public schools. That are wrong on both claims.

They propose that the overly federalized bloated bureaucracy called the Public School system should continue down the path which has led to failure. They make it sound as though the current approach to public education has always existed in American history. In reality, nothing could be further from our true history.

Public schools were first local, community schools. School choice will return the leadership of our educational approach to parents and the local community, empowered and assisted by the Federal government. It would improve the public school system as well as ensure that parents can choose the schools they want for their children. Competition in the delivery of goods and services has amazing results.

School Choice is not a threat to the Federal Government. Rather, it recognizes that all government begins in the home and applies the social ordering principle of subsidiarity. The term is derived from the Latin word "subsidium" which means help or assistance.

Subsidiarity is a social ordering principle which says that governing should begin at the smallest level first. The first government is the family. All other government should provide assistance or help to that first government - and not usurp its primary role. It favors a bottom up approach to governing and affirms the family as the first government and first school.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the right of parents to choose a school for their children, "As those first responsible for the education of their children, parents have the right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own convictions."

"This right is fundamental. As far as possible parents have the duty of choosing schools that will best help them in their task as Christian educators. Public authorities have the duty of guaranteeing this parental right and of ensuring the concrete conditions for its exercise." (CCC#2229)

The Federal Government should recognize that the family is the first government. All other government must first be at its service. In "The Role of the Christian family in the Modern World" Blessed John Paul II called for the development of a "family politics". School choice is an example of such a "family politics".

Support for school choice affirms the right of all parents to choose where their children go to school. That choice should include the full array of options, public, private, parochial, charter and home schools, no matter what the economic status of the family. It is better for the children, better for society and more economically efficient. It is also clearly embraced in catholic teaching.

In an Apostolic Exhortation on the "Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World "Blessed John Paul II wrote, "The right and duty of parents to give education is essential, since it is connected with the transmission of human life; it is original and primary with regard to the educational role of others, on account of the uniqueness of the loving relationship between parents and children; it is irreplaceable and inalienable, and therefore incapable of being entirely delegated to others or usurped by others."

In his "Letter to Families", he wrote: "Parents are the first and most important educators of their own children, and they also possess a fundamental competence in this area; they are educators because they are parents. They share their educational mission with other individuals or institutions, such as the Church and the State."

"But the mission of education must always be carried out in accordance with a proper application of the Principle of Subsidiarity. This implies the legitimacy and indeed the need of giving assistance to the parents, but finds its intrinsic and absolute limit in their prevailing right and actual capabilities. The principle of subsidiarity is thus at the service of parental love, meeting the good of the family unit."

"For parents by themselves are not capable of satisfying every requirement of the whole process of raising children; especially in matters concerning their schooling and the entire gamut of socialization. Subsidiarity thus complements paternal and maternal love and confirms its fundamental nature, inasmuch as all other participants in the process of education are only able to carry out their responsibilities in the name of the parents, with their consent and, to a certain degree, with their authorization."

School Choice is a matter of true social justice - not sometimes masquerades as social justice. The opposition by some in the leadership of the teachers unions shows how far some of these mediating associations have strayed from their proper social role. School choice is right for our children, right for our parents and right for our Nation.

Will school choice in the United States improve the current state of our Catholic School system in the United States? Yes, it will. It will open up our schools as one of the many options for parents to choose from for their own children. We should welcome that both as Catholics and as good citizens.

We are five days away from one of the most important Presidential elections in decades. It is time for a new politics, a family politics.True Educational Reform passes through School Choice.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Catholic vote, school choice, parental choice, Romney, Ryan, Obama, Biden, educational reform, campaign 2012, Deal W Hudson, Keith A Fournier

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1 - 7 of 7 Comments

Back Packer
6 months ago
The United States was founded, formed and grew to international prominence with virtually no government involvement in schooling. Before the advent of government-controlled schools, literacy was high (91-97% in the North, 81% in the South), private and community schools proliferated. For the first 150 years of America's settlement and the first 50 to 75 years of the nation's existence, government schooling as it is known today did not exist. Early America was arguably the freest civil society that has ever existed.
This freedom extended to education, which meant that parents were responsible for, and had complete control of, their children's schooling. There were no accrediting agencies, no regulatory boards, and no teacher certification requirements. Parents could choose whatever kind of school or education they wanted for their children.
In Pennsylvania since 2000, enrollment has declined by 26,960 while schools have hired 32,937 more staff members. Most of these new employees pay dues to the PSEA labor union, which runs one of the largest political action committees in the state and heavily funds political campaigns.
Pennsylvania's education spending increased from $4 billion in 1980 to over $25 billion in 2009 - a 133% increase in per-pupil spending, from $6,171 to $14,420 (in 2010 dollars).
If you choose to control your own child’s education (like the first Americans) and incorporate God into education you forfeit nearly $15,000 every year (Approx $180,000 per child over 12 years before compounding interest).
Can government schools teach why abortion is wrong? Is it any wander we have a population who does not understand?
Can it get worse?
In Ontario’s Roman Catholic schools are no longer allowed to teach that abortion is wrong. For the whole story see: http://patriactionary.wordpress.com/2012/10/14/ontarios-roman-catholic-schools-no-longer-allowed-to-teach-that-abortion-is-wrong/
Is true school Choice the answer? Why can’t parents take their $15,000 per year to the school they choose? Can education compete like it did in the beginning? Education benefits all of society particularly when morality is allowed to be part of it. The schools can accept all comers if they want government $ (otherwise they can do without government $). This may be the single most important issue underlying all of society’s problems. Only the rich can afford education that they choose. Is our society losing it’s roots?
Tom McGuire
6 months ago
Congratulations! Finally a new issue for the election other than abortion, same sex marriage, and birth control.

Yes, as Gravissimum Educationis makes very clear education is the primary responsibility of the parents. It also makes clear that the State has a essential role to play, that includes the Federal Government.

"In addition it is the task of the state to see to it that all citizens are able to come to a suitable share in culture and are properly prepared to exercise their civic duties and rights. Therefore the state must protect the right of children to an adequate school education, check on the ability of teachers and the excellence of their training, look after the health of the pupils and in general, promote the whole school project. But it must always keep in mind the principle of subsidiarity so that there is no kind of school monopoly, for this is opposed to the native rights of the human person, to the development and spread of culture, to the peaceful association of citizens and to the pluralism that exists today in ever so many societies."

From what I have learned in the more sensible political discussions this election season, both candidates have very similar positions on education. Yes, there is a difference on schools of choice. As one who taught in a Catholic School in a very poor urban neighborhood, I am aware of the dire condition of educational choices for poor people. Yes to parental responsibility but how is this to be realized in a poor urban environment?

1. In the community where I taught, if parents wanted to send their children to an excellent school, how were they to do it? The excellent school was miles from home.

2. The charter school that was near home, had as a priority profit for the managers of the school and not the children, what were the choices?

3. What about the education that takes place in the home and the environment? Many children came to school hungry, victims of abuse, deprived of love, exposed to the worst of human experience, these children needed more than just good teachers.

4. What about the Catholic Church? The Catholic school I taught in provided an excellent education for local children; many of my students went on to university and received degrees. However, since the Catholic Church priorities were not to help children in the poor urban areas, but to build new schools in upper middle class white neighborhoods. The school I taught in was closed for lack of funds. I maintain that if the local Catholic Church had a mission to educate those in most need, schools providing excellent education would not be closed. They would remain open not with government vouchers, but with funds from people committed to the mission of educating children.
Eli
6 months ago
First, by making decisions without the consent of Congress (an example is the HHS mandate) proves this administration has no respect for democracy. Our country will continue to fail if we don't regain our values as a country under God, of the people, for the people by the people. Maybe the time has come to stop wasting collected funds, our tax dollars, to support a federal government apathetic to our needs. Second. the majority of children in this country lack an education in moral values. They obviously are not being taught how babies are made! Young girls are raped and impregnated so schools encourage "safe sex", even handout contraceptives without parental consent! "Operation Restore Hope" is a Christian, home-school/child care run by Christians who have given priority to Christian education. Children no longer have to attend a threatening, over-crowded environment and they learn and live by God's laws.
mathew Thankachen O.Praem
6 months ago
The basic principle of Democrats, as I understand it is the 'primacy of the will of the people". I am surprised to know that when such a serious " human and moral isssue" of " abortion, LGBT etc, the Democrats upholds the " liberty of individual citizen" and the role of the government is defined to " protect" the interst of the citizens. however, when it comes in the filed of education, the freedom of the parents are limited to give quality education totheri children. such doub;le standard in the use of 'liberty' may not be enshrined in the Constitution. Hence, as the very word ' Democrats' stands, the power ofthe people to make right choice are to be respected by the gpovernmemnt who is elected for the same. As a matter of fact, the choice of parents to select the educatiional institutions and caree of theri children should, in my opinion be left to the parents.

Mathew Thankachen O.Praem.
DarthJ
6 months ago
Virgil Goode 2012 for a return of the school system to the local communities!
Bill Sr.
6 months ago
You only have to look at how the administration and the progressives who run the Democratic party (and are doing their best to infiltrate the Republicans) view human relationships to understand why and how our society is in shambles today.
There is hardly any human condition for which there is not an over bloated fraud ridden virtual money pit governmental solution coming out of Washington either through legislation or edict perpetrated by the career minded ruling class who have assumed the mantel of benevolent masters of a nomadic entitlement seeking citizenry.
There is plenty more but we can start with the CHILDREN.
There are government schools in every community which have a curriculum set up to teach what every growing child should know. These include but are not limited to, How to sing Obama Um, Um, Um, how it’s possible to have two moms or dads and not just one of each, and why it is ok if moms like women best or dads like men best. As they mature they are taught the various ways they or adults can show affection for each other male or female, the dangers of sex with the opposite sex and how to apply a free government supply of condoms to protect against the main danger, what government assistance is available to them if sex gets them sick, and most importantly if they, god forbid, should be punished (the presidents word not mine) by being pregnant the government well funded Planned Parenthood is just around the corner to get rid of your problem child. Now you can graduate with honors (and with a little help from the public school administration that has covered for your inaptitude in order to preserve their funding) try to find a job in a jobless market. But if you can’t find one the government will foot the bill for you at the nearest fun and games college of your choice IF you promise to go to work for the wonderful government that gave you all the blessings of a godless anti-voucher budget busting unionized LIBERAL education.
Every lockstep Democrat in congress has to admit this is all true and they are the architects of it. AND it is not only available to every American citizen but also the illegal aliens within our wide open borders which the Obama DOJ refuses to protect and won’t allow the states to police.
Case Closed
Joseph Tran
6 months ago
Houdson &Founier
Great! We can see it now. Both are choices. Both are directive of the parties.
I may say one is dunky choice and one is elephan choice.
what is your choice as citizen of great America?

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