Issues In Education: The Development Of Catholic Education In The Diocese Of Galveston-Houston.

Issues In Education: The Development Of Catholic Education In The Diocese Of Galveston-Houston. ISSUES IN EDUCATION: THE DEVELOPMENT OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN THEDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON GEORGIA B. KIMMEY, UNIVERSITY PRESS OFAMERICA, 2003. Educators in today's parochial, private, and public schoolsfind themselves reminiscing over the days when children were products ofa different culture and environment, parents were more involved in theeducation of their children, and money was not an object. There was atime these ideals may have been true, but the past was not alwaysperfect. While a study of the past can project ideas of what the worldof education can be today, the past does not hold all of the answers.The past is a base, a starting point Noun 1. starting point - earliest limiting pointterminus a quocommencement, get-go, offset, outset, showtime, starting time, beginning, start, kickoff, first - the time at which something is supposed to begin; "they got an early start"; "she knew from the . Georgia B. Kimmey recognizes the importance of bridges between thepast, present, and future. She states, "tracing the rich history ofCatholic education in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston instills anappreciation for the hardships of the early bishops, priests, andsisters, as well as an understanding of the roots of what existstoday" (p. 93). The past, as Kimmey illustrates, does provide uswith that base from which we have taken root. If we are to prepareourselves for the future we must study our roots and apply thosefoundations to the changing ways and times of our nation today.Kimmey's Issues in Education: The Development of Catholic Educationin the Diocese of Galveston-Houston examines Catholic education'spast in the diocese and applies that history to the challenges theDiocese of Galveston-Houston and other Catholic dioceses face today. Catholic education in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston encompasseselementary schools, high schools, colleges, and universities, all ofwhich have a rich history and tradition. In fact, the Catholic schoolswere established before the parishes. The influx of European immigrantsin the early history of the Galveston-Houston area supported this effortby holding the belief that "in order to keep them Catholic in aProtestant country, they would need a strong Catholic education"(p. 3). From this and many other beliefs, began the tradition ofCatholic education, both in the schools and within parishes, in theDiocese of Galveston-Houston. Kimmey explores the resilience and determination of the sisters andreligious orders that planted the roots of Catholic education in theGalveston and Houston areas. Delving into the hardships of thosededicated to the establishment and preservation of the Catholic schools,Kimmey brings reality to the romantic ideals often conjured up by thosetoday who study the birth and growth of Catholic education in ournation. She examines the economic hardships caused by nature due to thegeographical location of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. The naturaldisasters of hurricanes, which dampened their spirits as well as hurttheir pocketbooks, could not fully shut down the schools. At just over100 pages, Kimmey's work does not skimp skimp?v. skimped, skimp��ing, skimpsv.tr.1. To deal with hastily, carelessly, or with poor material: concentrated on reelection, skimping other matters.2. on any problem, question,or reason. She thoroughly and concisely recounts the struggles andopposition the schools faced during both World Wars, the influx ofpopulation due to immigration immigration,entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. , the Great Depression, prejudice towardCatholics and the minority students served by Catholic schools, and theKu Klux Klan Ku Klux Klan(k' klŭks klăn), designation mainly given to two distinct secret societies that played a part in American history, although other less important groups have also used . Her exploration is not just of the past. Kimmey'sresearch includes current hardships faced by the diocese such as therecent "rise in unemployment ... due to the fall of the Enroncorporation Enron Corporation,U.S. company that in 2001 became the largest bankruptcy and stock collapse in U.S. history up to that time. The company was formed in 1985 when InterNorth purchased Houston Natural Gas to create the country's longest natural-gas pipeline network. and other companies associated with the giant" (p. 92). Kimmey does not just examine the school system that exists withinthe Diocese of Galveston-Houston. She also reviews the parish programsof religious education that are encompassed under the title of Catholiceducation. In doing so, Kimmey makes her book a friendly, factual, andhistorical resource for all of those involved in the many facets ofCatholic education. The second half of the book thoughtfully examinesand outlines the issues that today's educators must face: studentswith special needs, economic hardships, school vouchers school vouchers,government grants aimed at improving education for the children of low-income families by providing school tuition that can be used at public or private schools. , andmulticulturalism and diversity. The book offers insight and ideas aboutthese current concerns. Youth Ministry and CCE CCE Cornell Cooperative ExtensionCCE Corporate and Continuing EducationCCE Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.CCE Commission de Coop��ration EnvironnementaleCCE Centre for Continuing EducationCCE College of Continuing EducationCCE Certified Computer Examiner (Continuing ChristianEducation) programs are also addressed, as they provide religiousformation and education for students not in attendance at the diocesanCatholic institutions. Kimmey does not exclude adult faith formation interms of religious education. She points out that it is just asimportant to continue the education of adults in Catholicism "asthe schools are becoming more and more the responsibility of thelaity" (p. 98). Educators in the Catholic faith, whether layCatholic teachers, the religious, or directors of religious education,can use Kimmey's explorations as a reference for what they have andhave not tried in their own parishes or schools. Kimmey states, "the goal of this work is to provide a fair andcandid view of the challenges and success stories that have become apart of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston's colorful past" (p.x). Not only is this goal accomplished, but Kimmey also opens for futurediscussions by noting, "the work is still undone" (p. 98).Catholic education has taken on so many facets within the school andparish programs, that, in order to keep up with the ever-changing times,the goals and needs of Catholic education must and will change. Despitethe problems and struggles that Catholic education faces today, Kimmeystates, "the Holy Spirit will find a way to use the faithful toaccomplish God's work" (p. 98). It is within the hands andminds of Kimmey's readers that God's work within Catholiceducation will be done. Beth A. Burau teaches English and German at Bishop Lynch HighSchool Bishop Lynch High School of Dallas is a co-educational Catholic high school (grades 9-12) in east Dallas, Texas (USA). It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas. It opened in 1963 with 365 students and now has over 1,000 students. in Dallas, Texas “Dallas” redirects here. For other uses, see Dallas (disambiguation).The City of Dallas (pronounced [ˈd?l.əs]or [ˈd?l. .