Describes a project designed to create an energy efficient high school in the diocese of Pittsburgh. The project will save over $850,000 in energy, operations, and maintenance costs over fifteen years. The design improves the physical premises as well by adding windows and eliminating fluorescent lighting. Offers tips for developing similar…

Discusses the difficulty Catholic schools face in recruiting Directors of Religious Education (DRE). Suggests that there are not enough skilled DREs to go around. Encourages schools to find talented lay people and mentor and empower them so that they can grow into the position. Presents some model approaches to the recruitment process. (NB)

Asserts that schools can be academically excellent as well as authentically Catholic by employing both academic and faith-based methods of teaching. Cites three main areas responsible for student achievement: student ability, family background, and effective organization. Describes research supporting higher achievement in Catholic schools than in…

Asserts that it is time to formalize the practices involved in integrating values into Catholic education. Presents the six-step Educational Community Opportunity for Stewardship (ECOS) system and the Catholic Education Community manual as vital components in preparing teachers for values integration. Presents conceptual and organizational…

Discusses assessment within the realm of Catholic education. States that assessment should not be limited to testing, and that there are other methods of student evaluation that are intrinsic to the classroom environment. Asserts that opportunities to exhibit excellence need to be given by teachers, and that assessment is a celebration of this…

Explains that service learning began as a way to help provide students with a better sense of civic and social responsibility, and has developed into a process enabling students to feel more connected with their communities. Lists benefits from enrollment in service-learning programs, including enhanced self-esteem, leadership abilities, spiritual…

This prayer book is intended for Catholic educators who are involved in the ministry of education and as teachers in Catholic schools. Daily prayer services are included, each centering on a particular theme pertinent to the personal and professional lives of ministers and teachers. The first week of themes for the month focus on the concept of…

The National Catechtical Directory will be a pastoral and practical document that will be officially issued by the American Bishops. (Author)

Describes the major issues tackled by the school board in a New Jersey Diocese. The key areas addressed were: revision and expansion of tuition assistance program, a move to president/principal model of administration for high schools, and overhaul of school policy manuals. Describes characteristics of an effective board. (NB)

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)

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)

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)

This book is intended to help catechetical leaders stay abreast of scholarship on Scriptures, students, and informed theology. The themes of its essays vary widely--from the vision of educating for the reign of God to the practicalities of how to constitute a parish committee for catechesis. The 10 essays are divided into 3 parts. Part 1,…