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ERIC Number: ED600174
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 156
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-0-4388-6722-2
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
The Influence of Vouchers on Catholic Identity of Catholic Elementary Schools
Bridges, Robert A.
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, The Catholic University of America
Once the predominant presence of religious priests, sisters and brothers began to decline in the 1960's (DeFiore, Convey & Schuttloffel, 2009), the staffing and funding model of Catholic schools began a dramatic change that continues today. School choice vouchers as we now know them began with the inception of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program in 1990, which was affirmed in 2002 when the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the constitutionality of vouchers in the landmark case of "Zelman v. Simmons-Harris." As school choice programs grew, a serious issue arose: schools' ability to maintain their Catholic Identity when receiving students with vouchers, many of whom are not Catholic. This study examined the influence on the Catholic Identity of two Catholic elementary schools after accepting students using school choice vouchers. This study was designed as a multiple case study, which examined at the influence of vouchers on the Catholic Identity at each school separately and analyzed the themes together in a cross-case analysis. Data consisted of observations, document review, and interviews with administrators, teachers and staff. The results showed that both schools had experienced significant changes in their demographics since the inception of vouchers in 2012. These demographic changes contributed to challenges to the Catholic Identity of the schools, as well as to their academic programs and student discipline. Both schools were slow to adjust to the new population of students, as they seemed unprepared for the impact of the changes to the school culture. The schools have taken steps to address these challenges, specifically in the areas of basic student needs such as food and clothing, and in supporting the academic needs of the students. The schools' Catholic Identity is more intentional due to the assistance provided by the ACE Program from the University of Notre Dame. A recommendation of the study is that Catholic schools that accept students with vouchers prepare their staffs to deal with the cultural changes and other challenges that may result. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A