This paper explores the question of the use of public state funds to support Catholic or any other denominational, nonpublic school. Thomas Sobol, Commissioner of Education, asked the Blue Ribbon Panel to examine the following significant matters: (1) the stress on tradition and work-related economic values derived by graduates of Catholic…

Since 1969-70, the National Catholic Educational Association has published a statistical report on Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the United States. This year's report contains the core school enrollment and staffing data from the Association's database and includes data on Chapter 1 services, extended care programs, school boards of…

Part of a six volume series of theme papers commissioned for the National Congress on Catholic schools for the 21st century, November 6-10, 1991, this document contains two of the theme papers. In "Catholic Identity and the Future of Catholic Schools" James Heft considers several ways to think about Catholic identity, describes the historical…

Analyzes the relationship between Christian religious education and revelation from the perspective of liberationist theology. Defines revelation less as an ecstatic spiritual experience and more as a call to live and work in a similar fashion as Christ. Discusses the implications of this for the modern church. (MJP)

Maintains that the contextualization (a critical awareness of the social forces that shape one's thinking) of religious education can only proceed with the contextualization of theology. Discusses this process from the perspective of racial-ethnic minorities. Although this process occurs at the margins of public life it often produces creative…

Maintains that spirituality, by reason of its very nature and essence, is antithetical to the goals of state education. Argues that efforts to define spirituality as separate from religion are disingenuous and driven by a specific political agenda. Discusses the conflicting goals of spirituality and secular institutionalization. (MJP)

Demonstrates a significant positive relationship between frequency of personal prayer and perceived purpose in life among adolescents in the United Kingdom. The study surveyed male and female adolescents who never attended church, and those who attended church regularly. Includes statistical tables for both groups. (MJP)

Considers the situation of Japanese Christians living in Japan, a land where non-Christian religious customs and values are inextricably interwoven in the national culture. Advocates H. Richard Niebuhr's "Christ-with-culture" approach that affirms multiple revelations of God in non-Christian religions. Discusses other aspects of Niebuhr's beliefs.…

Discusses the role of religious education in the future planning and implementation of South Africa's education system. Reviews the role of religion before 1990, particularly the Dutch Reformed Church. Concludes that the future of religious education in South Africa depends on the future of religion. (CFR)

Examines home and church learning of indigenous Ethiopians, the Amara Welloye, and the richness of this indigenous education as a foundation in building an effective educational system for present-day Africans. Indigenous learning is vital to transmission of values that Africans consider essential in understanding and experiencing life's fullness.…

Contends than an important dimension of multicultural religious education is the development of cognitive, affective, and behavioral characteristics consistent with cultural pluralism. Presents alternative views to traditional Western epistemology, focusing on postmodern feminist theories of learning. (CFR)

Examines the short-lived imposition by the Singaporean government of religious knowledge as a compulsory subject for upper secondary students. The original required course contained six options: Bible knowledge, Islamic religious knowledge, Buddhist studies, Confucian ethics, Hindu studies, and Sikh studies. The course became optional in 1989.…

Maintains that while Russian schools have performed admirably in the field of general education they have failed to develop any spiritual foundations for young people. Outlines the historic role of the Orthodox church in developing the Russian character and advocates a stronger presence for that church in Russian society. (MJP)

Describes the central concept of Mayan culture, the possession of the soul, or ch'ulel, in the process of forming a knowledgeable person. Soul acquisition is important to becoming the ideal person, and to the educational formation of future generations. Looks at the role language plays in culture as memory, thought formation, and learning process.…

Highlights the history of Californian (Luiseno), the native language of Baja California, including how the language was recorded by a young Mexican student at the Vatican's missionary school, the Collegium Urbanum in Rome. Discusses the political impact of the grammatical recording and subsequent translation of the language during the mid-19th…