Democracy needs dissent. More specifically, democracy needs citizens with "knowledge" of how to practice political dissent, a willingness to "think" about why and when such dissent is necessary, and "habituation" to the practice of good dissent. Where, then, are citizens to develop such habits? In Sarah Stitzlein's…

While this article is not about women's colleges or exclusively women presidents, the author notes, it is women's colleges that have experienced the greatest challenges, due primarily to financial constraints and competition. As operational costs escalated and choices for students increased, many small struggling colleges with little or no…

The reception of "Ex corde ecclesiae" has been uneven across the disciplines, with scant interest in distinctly Catholic pedagogies outside of the humanities. This essay argues that Catholic universities can distinguish themselves by how they present science and technology in their curriculum by drawing from the interdisciplinary field…

The organizers of the conference on Renewing Mission and Identity in Business Education invited me to offer a description of the efforts made at the University of Dayton to institutionalize its Catholic identity. Until 2006, when I left Dayton to begin leading full-time the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern…

This article offers responses from Lois K. Draina, an associate professor, Ronald J. Nuzzi, a program director, and Rachel Sara Moreno, associate professional specialist to a United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) document "Renewing Our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium"…

Offers suggestions for ways in which Catholic educators can set priorities for developing religious education programs. Recommends visual symbols of Catholicism in each classroom, required prayer, a sacred place on campus, spiritual retreats for students, and reaching out to students. Also suggests that students be required to invest hours in…

Discusses ways in which Catholic schools can reflect on the Catholic vision and identity within the institution. Reminds Catholic educators that the Catholic vision includes personal and societal transformation in the light of the Gospel. Suggests particular consideration is due the areas of leadership training, social justice, and spiritual life.…

Urges Catholic educators to reacquaint themselves with the church's doctrines of access and inclusion, and to increase their efforts to involve disabled persons in their programs. (YKH)

Contends that it is important to ask the correct questions pertaining to academic programming, professional development, learning environments, and Catholic identity before setting goals for the next academic school year. Lists seven questions that might help Catholic school administrators better prepare their school for the near future. (CJW)

Asserts that development of moral character is basic to the mission of the Catholic school and is a commitment that public schools cannot make to their students. Defines character as "that lasting and distinctive part of the inner person that governs behavior through informed choices and good habits." Emphasizes teaching the Bible, and…

Contends that Catholic educators have a proven and lasting program to guide character building in their students. States that the basis for this important moral development is teaching good habits, and that the values presented in the Gospel are integrated into all curriculum areas, providing opportunities for students and faculty to reflect,…

States that, based on several studies, sports programs at any level of education have no more potential to develop character than any other school activity. Asserts that Catholic schools are committed to character development in every aspect of the curriculum, and that they must emphasize the potential for sports participation to foster moral…

Presents a crisis plan for schools to enact in emergencies, from the first 30 minutes after the incident to several weeks afterward. Includes: (1) recruiting the entire school staff in the plan's conception; (2) appointing a leader and a group of people responsible for carrying out specific tasks; (3) conducting a full-facility review to address…

Catholic schools in the United States today are very different from the Catholic schools that first opened in the 18th and 19th centuries. This handbook is a call to action for all Catholic elementary schools, inviting and challenging all Catholic educators to plan for the future. The volume is the first in a series of handbooks containing essays…

Discusses how to identify a school's core values and culture. Asserts that it is the allocation of resources, not the mission statement, that reveals most about what a school deems important. States that administrators must go beyond what is outlined in the mission, paying attention to where the school places its money, and re-align its actions…