American Catholic Schools in the Twentieth Century

By introducing readers to the phenomenon of the Catholic public school, Ann Marie Ryan takes us beyond the narrative of why American Catholics developed their own schools, and critically examines their strategies for structural pluralism throughout the twentieth century. Focusing on the City of Chicago as a case study, Ryan masterfully reveals Catholic leaders' thoughts on educational reform movements and how their pursuit of public funds ultimately fostered an intertwined relationship between American Catholic schools and public education. Ryan's work not only situates Catholic schools within the larger history of American education, it also provides valuable context to those seeking to understand Catholic schools' current push for public funds.

In American Catholic Schools in the Twentieth Century, Ann Marie Ryan uncovers the rich and surprising history of American Catholic schools in a country dominated by public education. From what was taught, by whom, and how, to recent struggles over voucher programs and school choice, Ryan shows, the relationship between Catholic schools and public ones has been remarkably formative to both. The tone is fair-minded; the scholarship is rigorous; and the writing is clear and engaging enough for a general audience. This is a timely and important book.

This insightful book serves as an invaluable guide to the long and complicated history of Catholic schools in the United States. Ann Marie Ryan expertly weaves together themes of religious conflict, policy agreement, and funding debates. Required reading for anyone who wants to look beyond the clich?s about religion and public education.

While Ryan set out to present an educational history of Catholic schooling and its relationship to public education in the twentieth century, which she masterfully does, she also succeeds in enriching the field of American Catholic history by offering an account of the ways in which Catholic education and public education came into contact, often in surprising and unexpected ways, throughout the twentieth century.