Task Force on Latinos in Catholic Schools
The Notre Dame Task Force understands that while the faculty, staff and administrators of our nation’s Catholic schools are undergoing significant change, the students who are enrolling in the schools are also different from those of past generations. The growing Latino population in the United States represents the most dramatic demographic shift in the American Catholic Church. These Latino families and children must be welcomed, educated, and nurtured by the Church. We believe that Catholic schools are the ideal place to offer hope to yet another generation of immigrant Catholics in the United States.
The Task Force noted that although nearly 75% of Latino immigrants to this country are Catholic, only 3% of Latino families are sending their children to Catholic schools. Realizing the paramount importance of this issue, Notre Dame intends to host a new task force on Latino Children and Families in Catholic schools.
ACE has already taken a first step to addressing the needs of Latino children and families in Catholic schools, many of whom are learning English as a new language. In July 2006, Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education established its English as New Language (ENL) program in order to train and support Catholic school teachers who work with ENL students. The year-long program aims to increase the quality of instruction that Latino and other immigrant children receive in Catholic schools.
