Catholic Educator Urges Schools To Add Fourth “R” To Curriculum

Washington, D.C. – The traditional “Reading, Writing and ‘Rithmetic” has long been the core curriculum in America’s schools. Now one leading Catholic educator has suggested that the nation’s 95,615 elementary and secondary schools add a fourth “R” – responsibility.

Dr. Karen Ristau, president of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), said, “Responsibility goes way beyond basic accountability such as making the bed or doing a homework assignment on time. It should encompass having empathy for one’s neighbors and fellow students. It should translate into active participation in community service activities.”

A former college professor, teacher and administrator in both elementary and secondary schools, Dr.Ristau’s association represents more than 200,000 educators nationwide who serve 2.5 million students in Catholic schools. She observed that too often contemporary culture seduces children into thinking ‘it’s all about me.’

“Children must be taught responsibility but also should see it in action from parents and other adults whom they respect,” she added.

The NCEA leader has these suggestions for parents and teachers:

• Explain responsibility to your students and children. Define your understanding of the word and give examples of how young people can serve as responsible students, neighbors and citizens of the community – and world.
• Promote community service programs in schools. These initiatives should not be optional but a planned component of the school year. Faculty can encourage students to embrace service opportunities that reflect their abilities and interests. Fourth-graders may adopt the residents of a nursing home as grandparents; eighth-graders can embark on a neighborhood clean-up program.
• Remember that service begins at home. Parents are the first educators of their children and are the best role models when it comes to service. Family activities may be as elaborate as leading the fund raiser for the city’s Special Olympics – or as basic as serving dinner in the community’s homeless shelter.

“Whatever parents do, they should talk about it with their children,” said Dr. Ristau. “And when they’re old enough, the children should be encouraged to participate as well.”

The Washington educator added, “Community service opportunities are everywhere and serve as a powerful way to teach religion and character development to young people.”

Established in 1904, NCEA is the largest private professional education organization in the world, representing 200,000 Catholic educators serving 7.6 million students in Catholic elementary and secondary schools, in religious education programs, in seminaries and in colleges and universities.

SOURCE: http://www.ncea.org