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…

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…

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)

Outlines a new method of reporting scores on the National Catholic Education Association's Assessment of Catholic Religious Education (ACRE). Participants will receive group-score reports that break down and detail the percent of their students classified as advanced, proficient or in need of improvement. Users who choose to receive individual…

Recognizing the expanded role that teachers play in the classroom, the National Catholic Educational Association generated this elementary guidance curriculum as a support and guide for the Catholic classroom teacher. This six-volume series (vol. 1: program manual; vol 2: early childhood and kindergarten; vol. 3: grades 1/2; vol. 4: grades 3/4;…

This document is intended to help Catholic educators and their students examine efforts at evangelization over the 500 year period since Christopher Columbus' voyage united the eastern and western hemispheres. The first of three sections has study guides for teachers focusing on six themes: (1) the legacy of Columbus; (2) evangelization: then and…

This study was commissioned by the State of Rhode Island to provide a factual basis for future education policy decisions. Since Rhode Island has a higher percentage of children in nonpublic schools than any other State, the future of these schools is particularly crucial. Nonpublic schools in Rhode Island are divided into two basic types:…