Changes

==Catholic schools==

==Catholic schools==

Since the 1960s the number of students in parochial schools in the [[United States]] has been declining, and many have closed.

Since the 1960s the number of parochial schools in the [[United States]] and students attending them has been declining rapidly; many have closed as a result.

The number of students in Catholic schools is only 2.27 million, compared with 5.25 million in the 1960s.  Now there are only 7,378 '''parochial school'''s, while in the 1960s there were 12,893.<ref>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CATHOLIC_SCHOOL_CLOSURES?SITE=NCAGW&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</ref>

According to the National Catholic Education Association, in the 1960's there were 12,893 Catholic schools with 5.25 million students attending.  But at last official count there were only 7,378 Catholic schools with 2.27 million students attending.  Since 2000 about 1,267 Catholic schools have closed and enrollment nationwide has dropped by 382,125 students, or 14 percent.<ref>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CATHOLIC_SCHOOL_CLOSURES?SITE=NCAGW&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</ref>

Catholic nuns ("sisters") traditionally filled many of teaching positions at parochial schools, which typically were controlled by the parish and supervised by the diocese.  In 1965, 104,000 teaching sisters educated students in parochial schools in the United States.  By 2007, that number had declined by 94%, such that there are only 8,200 teaching sisters.<ref>Hilary White, "Vatican Cardinal Criticizes U.S. for not Funding Catholic Schools," The Wanderer, pp. 1 and 7, Vol. 140, No. 49 (Dec. 6, 2007).</ref> With the exception of religious studies, often classes are taught by persons with secular teaching degrees or private sector experience (though, frequently, they are required to agree with the school's religious viewpoints).

 

Catholic nuns ("sisters") traditionally filled many of teaching positions at parochial schools, which typically were controlled by the parish and supervised by the diocese.  In 1965, 104,000 teaching sisters educated students in parochial schools in the United States.  By 2007, that number had declined by 94%, such that there are only 8,200 teaching sisters.<ref>Hilary White, "Vatican Cardinal Criticizes U.S. for not Funding Catholic Schools," The Wanderer, pp. 1 and 7, Vol. 140, No. 49 (Dec. 6, 2007).</ref>

The reason for the decline may be the population shift in America from northern cities (where Catholicism has historically been the strongest) to southern cities (where Protestantism is stronger) and western cities (where religious belief is generally minimal).  In the southern and western areas, affluent suburbs have risen up in recent years with generally strong public school systems (though still secular and hostile toward religion) where parents have chosen to send their children.

The reason for the decline may be the population shift in America from northern cities (where Catholicism has historically been the strongest) to southern cities (where Protestantism is stronger) and western cities (where religious belief is generally minimal).  In the southern and western areas, affluent suburbs have risen up in recent years with generally strong public school systems (though still secular and hostile toward religion) where parents have chosen to send their children.