Discusses the importance of developing curricular initiatives that educate students on the major facts and issues associated with poverty in America. Provides key poverty statistics and highlights useful Internet resources that offer resource lists, success stories, relevant press releases, and curriculum guides. For example, the PovertyUSA Web…

Summarizes pedagogical innovations and the emergence of a social justice mission within the Catholic school system. The authors present a thorough historical review of the American Catholic school philosophy including dates, key figures, and the political and social contexts that framed these educational developments. (Contains 30 references.) (RC)

Provides the text of the National Catholic Educational Association Statement on Child Abuse. This document, titled A Sacred Trust: The Safety of Our Children, was generated in response to the growing number of both confirmed and alleged cases of pedophilia and sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. (RC)

Provides the text for United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. This document is part of a special collection of resources in the journal that address sexual abuse and the growing number of both confirmed and alleged cases of pedophilia and sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. (RC)

Offers a personal reflection on the beliefs, assumptions and values associated with the baptismal catechumenal process, the initiation process into the church. Outlines a series of actions that are influenced by these core ideas. Examples include designing catechetichical programs to accommodate a variety of spiritual needs at many levels and…

Argues that faculty hiring is one of the most important duties a principle performs. Catholic schools suffer from a shortage of religion teachers. Author's research suggests that new recruitment methods must be employed, including recruiting teachers from within the schools who are in other disciplines. (Contains four references.) (NB)

Describes one educator's experiences with developing core K-8 curriculum standards that reflect the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the dimensions of the General Directory for Catechesis. Standards were applied in author's diocese. Also describes pilot year for program and offers some qualitative feedback. (NB)

Provides a collection of Internet and print resources for understanding and coping with sexual abuse in its personal and legal ramifications. (Contains 15 print references and 12 Internet resources.) (RC)

Outlines the development process and essential elements of a crisis communication strategy. Key steps include: (1) selecting a spokesperson; (2) publicizing the spokesperson's identity; (3) preparing a crisis notebook; (4) providing cell phones; (5) choosing a news conference location; (6) rehearsing crisis scenarios; and (7) obtaining interview…

Discusses the General Directory for Catechesis' (GDC) statement that one of the roles rooted in baptism is the responsibility to evangelize, and that everyone involved with the Catholic church should be meeting this responsibility. Explains the GDC's definition of evangelization (to transmit the word of God) and catechesis (to put people in touch…

Articulates the importance of integrating service learning initiatives into Catholic school curricula and outlines a model service program sponsored by Maria High School in southwest Chicago. Briefly reviews five essential qualities of effective service-learning programs, including: (1) service is conducted with and meets the need of the…

Discusses the significance, challenges and process of infusing assessment practices into religious education programs. Reports key findings from an assessment survey distributed to parish catechetical staffs and then outlines how assessment contributes to the creation of a strategic plan for faith formation. (Contains seven references.) (RC)

Discusses the decreasing participation of Catholic children in religious instruction and catechetical programs, and the efforts of Christ the King Parish (Houston, TX) to increase participation by providing accessible, convenient religious teaching in after-school programs located on campus. (YKH)

Examines the teacher shortage in public schools and describes a survey that asked Catholic school teachers why they chose to work in a religious environment. Discusses responses, including: (1) 45% said they wanted to share the faith with their students; (2) 9% said they needed a job; and (3) 12% said that they had attended a Catholic school.…

Describes the steps being taken in the revision process of the Assessment of Catholic Religious Education (ACRE): revising the ACRE Religious Knowledge Section, development of score report forms, and program management. States that the main purpose of the revision is to support the teaching and learning environment in Catholic schools. (CJW)