This book presents the proceedings of a symposium sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). One-hundred leaders of the Catholic school community came together to heighten awareness of the diversity and power of the parental choice movement, thus enabling Catholic educators to take a more effective leadership role in…

This paper assesses religion teaching as a profession in light of selected characteristics that scholars agree are common to all professions. Evidence was drawn primarily from church documents and survey data from "The Next Generation: A Study of Catholic High School Religion Teachers." The findings indicate that religion teaching meets two of the…

This book examines legal issues that affect Catholic high schools. Chapter 1 discusses sources of the law and how fairness and due process, federal and state statutes, and various guidelines shape the law. Tort law, corporal punishment, search and seizure, defamation of character, and negligence are covered in chapter 2. Chapter 3 details issues…

In the St. Louis, Missouri archdiocese Catholic students in public schools enroll part-time in a Catholic school for religious instruction. (DS)

Discusses how NCEA offers financial planning support to members in a variety of ways, including tailored on-site consultation, regional workshops and sessions at the annual convention. Offers a list of publications that can be helpful in planning and conducting development programs and a directory of funding resources for Catholic activities. (MZ)

Argues that compassion trumps assessment and competition in the Catholic educator's classroom. Stresses that no strings can be attached to what the author refers to as teacherly love. Equates this compassion with the teachings of the Gospels. Describes teaching as a call to be an instrument of God's compassion. (Contains three references.) (NB)

Offers ideas for teaching young readers to appreciate books. Suggests creating activities, such as reading contests, book theater, book reviews with a twist, character essays, and game shows. Intended as a starting point to help inspire Catholic educators to come up with more ideas of their own. (NB)

Describes the administrative structures in place at two Texas schools, Immaculate Conception Catholic School and St. Elizabeth's Parish, where the school principals also fulfill the role of Director of Religious Education. Highlights the team approach to administration, community involvement, solutions to the problems in this merger of…

Examines ways in which parents and religious educators can instruct children about issues involving faith, God, and prayer. Reviews strategies for increasing children's understanding of faith and God and suggests classroom activities to help teachers support parents' religious education efforts. Provides tips for making Mass more meaningful for…

Addresses the issue of teacher recruitment in Providence, Rhode Island. Explains that the Catholic education staff designed a campaign that involved creating marketing materials, advertising in daily newspapers, and holding job fairs and open houses. Stresses the importance of promoting teaching at Catholic schools as both rewarding and…

Describes the strategies employed by the Diocese of Memphis, Tennessee, to alleviate its teacher shortage, including: (1) starting a teacher Recruitment and Retention Leadership Team; and (2) creating a Web site, radio spots, display booths at job fairs, and a teacher recruitment video that was sent to religious communities. States that, for the…

Reports that, on average, one out of three catechists is replaced every year due to attrition. Proposes methods for recruiting and retaining catechists, asserting that recruiting should be looked upon as a year-round job, and those who are growing in faith and are healthy-minded should be sought. (CJW)

Seeks to understand the Jesuit education proposal in the reforming context from which it came. States that the Constitutions established the renewing function of school education based on the sacred vision of the world: God is placed as the ultimate end, and objectives are learning, formation of good customs, and apostleship. (BT)

This article presents a historical overview of Catholic schooling in the United States from colonial times to the present. Presented in order of eras in American history, the growth of Catholic schools and the challenges they faced are documented. The author concludes with a discussion of contemporary trends, realities challenges, and…

The concept of "practice" has become a central category of social analysis across a variety of disciplines. While religious educators have begun to recognize the critical role of practices in faith formation, less attention has been given to their role in education for responsible religious pluralism. Based on conversations between Catholic and…