Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States and celebrating the 51st annual "National Catholic Schools Week".

Legislative Summary: H.Res. 74

Overview

H.Res. 74 is a house resolution introduced in the 119th Session of the United States Congress. The primary purpose of this resolution is to formally recognize the contributions of Catholic schools to the American education system and to express support for the 51st annual "National Catholic Schools Week."

Unlike a traditional bill, a House Resolution (H.Res.) is typically used to express the sentiment or opinion of the House of Representatives rather than to create new laws or allocate funding.

Main Purpose and Intent

The resolution seeks to highlight the academic and moral achievements of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the United States. It aims to acknowledge the role these institutions play in providing diverse, affordable, and high-quality education to a broad spectrum of students across various socioeconomic and racial backgrounds.

Key Highlights and Data

The resolution cites specific statistics from the 2024–2025 National Catholic Education Association survey to underscore the impact of these schools:

• Enrollment & Demographics: Approximately 1,700,000 students are enrolled in Catholic schools. The student body is diverse, including:
  • 20.5% from racial minority backgrounds.
  • 15.5% of Hispanic heritage.
  • 21.8% from non-Catholic families.
• Academic Performance: The resolution notes a high school graduation rate of 98.9%, with 85.2% of graduates transitioning to 4-year colleges.
• Educational Environment: It highlights a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1.

Key Provisions

The House of Representatives, through this resolution, formally:
1. Supports National Catholic Schools Week, which is cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
2. Recognizes the 2025 Theme: "Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community," emphasizing the integration of students, parents, and families within the school community.
3. Applauds the dedication of Catholic school educators, students, and parents toward achieving academic excellence.

Affected Parties

While the resolution does not mandate changes to law, it specifically recognizes and honors:
* Catholic School Administrators and Teachers: For their commitment to academic and moral development.
* Students and Families: Particularly those in underserved urban areas who utilize Catholic schools as an affordable education option.
* National Catholic Educational Association & US Conference of Catholic Bishops: For their leadership in organizing the national observance.

Procedural Status

• Designated Dates: National Catholic Schools Week is observed from January 26, 2025, to February 1, 2025.
• Current Status: As of January 28, 2025, the resolution has been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.