The Pillar

A new survey from the National Catholic Partnership on Disability found that Catholic school systems in the U.S. vary widely in their practices of including students with disabilities. 

Many Catholic school leaders voiced a desire for their diocesan schools to be inclusive, the NCPD said, but oftentimes a lack of funding, resources, and training has made it difficult to implement this desire effectively. The report, shared with The Pillar this week, included recommendations for dioceses and schools seeking to more effectively serve students with special needs. The recommendations include clear guidance and policies from diocesan offices, increased opportunities for teacher training, and implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), a proactive framework for classroom education and support.

The NCPD released results of recent surveys, conducted in 2024-2025, asking Catholic school principals and superintendents about their practices regarding students with special needs. About 55% of the superintendents who participated in the survey said their diocese has an expectation, in policy or mission statement, that schools are inclusive of students with any disability.