Discusses the current teacher shortage experienced by Catholic schools and offers several effective and cost-efficient ways to search for new teachers, including: (1) inviting parents to "coffee hours," where they can learn about teaching in Catholic schools; (2) establishing connections with public school teachers' retirement associations; (3)…

Offers suggestions for preventive maintenance of school facilities. Argues that Catholic schools are often allowed to crumble due to the focus on excellence in education, as well as a lack of attention to the physical elements of buildings. Asserts that complete school stewardship includes maintenance of the physical asset. Contains example of a…

Discusses the rapid growth of a Catholic K-8 school in Oklahoma. Reports that the school opened in 1990 and more than quintupled in size by 2001, making it the largest Catholic school in the state. Identifies the school's number one priority as its commitment to Catholicism. (NB)

Describes the planning and opening of Holy Cross Central School's (HCCS) (Indiana) new K-8 building in Indianapolis. Reports that HCCS's old building was more than 100 years old and was not meeting the needs of the students. States that new elements, such as a computer lab, support the basic Catholic school curriculum. (NB)

Reviews the partnership of representatives from various sectors of Catholic education, created to find ways of ensuring a qualified pool of candidates to become Omaha's religion teachers for the future. Treats the issues addressed by this partnership: program goals and curriculum, credentialing, entry points and pathways, and affordability. (VWC)

This book offers an approach to curriculum decision making aimed at helping Catholic schools become or remain values-based, learning-centered communities for the 21st century. The outcomes-based approach argues that educators have three primary responsibilities--identify what is the significant learning, design valid ways for students to…

In 1995 Catholic educators established Selected Programs for Improving Catholic Education (SPICE). The program is a form of action research that identifies, validates, and systematically diffuses elementary and secondary school programs that work. This handbook is the first volume in a series of annual National Catholic Educational Association…

This educational guide, designed for use in Catholic elementary and secondary schools, religious education programs at all grades, youth retreats, teacher training, or parent and adult sessions, places issues related to immigrants and refugees in a Catholic perspective. It offers some basic materials to use and adapt for children and adults to…

This monograph includes six papers presented at a meeting sponsored by the Departments of Religious Education and Secondary Schools of the National Catholic Education Association. The papers include: (1) "What Makes a School Catholic?" (William J. O'Malley); (2) "Catholicity: A Tradition of Contemplation" (Thomas Keating); (3) "Catholic Identity…

This curriculum is designed to assist Catholic school teachers and parish catechists in their efforts to foster a pro-life attitude in students in grades 7 and 8. Following an introduction is the curriculum which features six lessons. These are: (1) Unique in all the world; (2) The first nine months of human life; (3) The hard facts about…

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 study was undertaken to determine the value and belief patterns of Catholic elementary school principals and teachers in the context of the school as a faith community. It was believed that some educators, particularly lay teachers, would value secular and noncommunitarian purposes and characteristics more than religious and communitarian…

Studies suggest that historically Australian Catholic schools have existed not only to reproduce Catholic traditions, but also to advance the children of the Irish working classes socially. Data collected at the highly academically oriented Christian Brothers College (CBD), Newburyport, support the idea of educating for upward mobility as a means…

Roman Catholic schools in the United States have made significant contributions which include the first schools in many geographic areas, the first textbook in the United States, and the first dictionaries of some Indian languages. Early attempts to establish Catholic schools led to incidents which required heroism of the leaders and sacrifices by…

This article explores the relationship between courage and leadership as it applies to Catholic educators. Scripture, literature, contemporary leadership theory, and modern culture are used in the development of an approach to leadership that is both theologically sound and culturally relevant. The author criticizes popular views of leadership,…