The Healing Hand: Modeling Catholic Medical Vocational-Technical Schooling. White Paper No. 169

Overview & Synopsis

Historically Catholic college preparatory and career vocational-technical schools have had contrasting approaches to secondary school education. Catholic schools have provided classical liberal-arts education, including religious instruction, with emphasis on the spiritual and intellectual potential of every student and an eye towards higher education. However, student enrollment at Archdiocese of Boston's high schools have been declining. At the same time, vocational-technical education has surged in Massachusetts. Catholic education leaders in Boston and elsewhere have noticed the rise in career vocational technical education (CVTE) popularity that the Archdiocese commissioned to examine the issue. This paper will explore the merits of medical vocational technical education, often called "health services," as a possibility for Catholic high schools.