Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Catholic education'

Catholic education is at a crossroads in the United States, as rising tuition costs present significant challenges to many families’ financial resources. At the very least, affording a Catholic education calls for a reprioritization of expenses. However, in many cases, high tuition costs leave parents with no recourse but to remove their children from Catholic schools. As costs and tuition climb, only those with significant financial resources will be able to attend Catholic schools. Hence, maintaining the foundational mission of Catholic education, namely to provide access to education for the poor and oppressed, threatens to become impossible due to the inadequate revenue from tuition-dependant financial models used by Catholic school administrations. Thus, Catholic schools need a critical rethinking of their financial model in order to make Catholic education accessible to all. In order to address the financial crisis in Catholic education, it is first important to understand the various forces that influence the funding of Catholic schools. This study addresses this need by asking the question: “What are the current financial models of Catholic education?” Based on a review of the current literature, and including data from a survey of current Catholic diocesan superintendents, this study defines the current financial models used in contemporary Catholic schools in the U.S. by asking the following questions: What are the parameters or conditions of the model? Who are the beneficiaries of the model? What is the social goal or purpose of the model? What is the strength of the model? What are the weaknesses of the model? Through a summary of the survey findings, recommendations begin to emerge that are presented in the following three categories: (a) a need for a purposeful, strategic, comprehensive intentionality in the application of the various financial models available, (b) a need to reframe the leadership model for financing Catholic schools, and (c) a need to review and update the current decentralized model in Catholic education.

The purpose of this thesis is to analyse and explain the intimate connection that exists between liberal education and Catholic theology. This is done by analysing the changing patterns of interconnections in the historical and on-going relationship between both. The thesis comprises nine chapters. The first two chapters outline the general principles governing the study. The next two chapters deal with the history of the relationship between liberal education and Catholic theology, beginning with the early apologists via Augustine and culminating in Aquinas' scholastic synthesis. This part of the study describes the synthesis which took place from early Christianity until the fifteenth century. The second part of the thesis deals with the separation of liberal education and Catholic theology, which began during the Reformation, and is discussed in Chapters Five and Six. The consequences of this separation which led to the establishment of a secular system of liberal education, divorced from theology, during the Enlightenment, is analysed in Chapter Seven. The final two chapters of the thesis (Chapters Eight and Nine) deal with the 'Catholic Reaction' to the reformed rational system of liberal education, and the 'Rediscovery' of the comprehensive tradition of liberal education, brought about by the historic revival of Catholic scholarship, initiated by Pope Leo XIII.

The thesis examines the coherence of the claim that Catholic education is both distinctive and inclusive. It clarifies the implications for church schools of a Catholic worldview and situates Catholic schools in the context of (and subjects them to scrutiny in the light of) alternative liberal philosophical perspectives in our society. Central questions explored are: what is the nature of, foundation for and implications of the claim that Catholic schools offer a distinctive approach to education? To what extent does the claim to distinctiveness entail exclusiveness or allow for inclusiveness? How far can distinctiveness and inclusiveness (in the context of Catholic education) be reconciled? An extended commentary on key Roman documents about Catholic education is provided. This is related to the particular context of Catholic schools in England and Wales, where an ambivalence in the purposes of Catholic schools is indicated and a way for them to avoid the ambivalence by being both distinctive and inclusive is suggested. The study works at the interface between Christian (and more specifically Catholic) theology, philosophical analysis and educational theory and practice with regard to the raison d'etre of Catholic schools. Through a retrieval and application of the notion of 'living tradition' it is shown that within Catholicism there are intellectual resources which enable Catholic schools to combine distinctiveness with inclusiveness, although there will be limits on the degree of inclusiveness possible. In the face of criticisms of their potentially inward-looking role in a pluralist society, it is argued that Catholic schools contribute to the common good. The argument should enhance clarity about purpose for Catholic educators in England and Wales. It also has implications for Catholic schools elsewhere and for other Christians and for people of other religions in the practice of their oit forms of faithbased education.

This thesis is about the construction of a theory of Catholic education and schooling that is both coherent and defendable. As such it addresses normative questions about the nature and purpose of Catholic education and schooling. It presents and defends an argument about how theology can be used to inform and guide the development of a robust theory of Catholic education. The primary premise is the claim that existing attempts to account for the theory of Catholic education suffer from a number of deficiencies. It is argued that this is a serious situation because in the opening decades of the twenty-first century Catholic education faces many threats and challenges. The argument begins by mapping out the difficult situation that Catholic education currently finds itself in. Catholic education stands in need of a developed and robust theory of education that will allow it repair the deficiencies and overcome the threats. The argument in this thesis is presented in two interconnected stages. In the first stage the focus is on explaining and demonstrating the deficiencies and flaws in the theory of Catholic education as it currently stands. This involves engaging in a critical analysis of the official Catholic Church teachings on Catholic education and schooling. The weaknesses in this teaching are reflected in the writings of leading Catholic thinkers, most notably Newrnan and Maritain. In differing ways both fall short of providing the theoretical underpinning that is needed to robustly defend Catholic education. The focus in the second stage moves on from the critical analysis in order to launch into the more positive task of theory construction. This is a theoretical thesis that appeals to Neurath's metaphor of the boat as a helpful methodological image to guide the construction of a robust theory of Catholic education. This involves recasting the weaknesses and concerns identified in the first stage in to the planks on the vessel that need to be repaired or replaced. This repair work is completed through drawing inspiration from the Catholic theologian Karl Rahner.

PROBLEM: Programs to educate Hispanics for ministry require special training , knowledge of students' needs, appropriate curriculum, teaching methodology, and educational materials. PURPOSE: To identify the teachers' background and preparation, the students' general characteristics, and the characteristics and problems of the educational process. To draw recommendations for improving teacher training, curriculum planning, teaching methodology, and educational materials. PROCEDURE: Questionnaires were distributed among all teachers in Catholic Education for Ministry Among Hispanics (CEMH) in California. This study is based on 54 questionnaires that represent 67% of the population estimated. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the teachers were bilingual lay women born in Latin American countries. Their main goals were evangelization, integral education, education for ministry, and building the Kingdom of God. One third of the teachers had only undergraduate studies. Only one third had studies in education. A large proportion reported inadequate knowledge in theology, Church teachings and Church history, moral development, ethics, anthropology, sociology, economy, counseling, and teaching and planning techniques. The students were mainly women, Spanish monolingual, with elementary education, under 40 years of age. The courses usually had less than 30 students and more than 100 hours per year. Teachers reported students' interaction, exams and class presentations; and lectures among the most used and effective methods, and reading aloud and memorization as ineffective but also generally used. Few teachers used supervised practice. Pastoral differences with Anglo administrative personnel, lack of educational materials and time pressure were the most frequent problems. RECOMMENDATIONS: (a) to train teachers as educators, offering them courses on all the subjects needed and including supervised practice; (b) to form multicultural/multi-ministerial teaching teams and provide education for the cognitive, affective and motor domains, emphasizing the pastoral approach of the Second Vatican Council; (c) to formalize ministries through certification and a system of ongoing education; (d) to establish dialogue and collaboration between teachers in CEMH and Anglo administrative personnel; (e) to design specific materials for CEMH, to establish a clearinghouse for teachers' hand-made materials, and to elaborate an annotated bibliography of resources; (f) to replicate this study among English speaking, to develop studies on the types of programs existing, the role of Hispanic women in ministry, a comparison between Hispanic lay ministers and active and inactive Catholics, and a direct evaluation of the effectiveness of different teaching methods for CEMH.

According to the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA, 2020), 2 million children attend K-12 Catholic schools in the United States. Because Catholic school systems are "among the largest and most significant" religious educational institutions (Marshall, 2018, p.185), Catholic educational leaders should be part of a dialogue to improve the quality of education. Furthermore, it is vital that these dialogues address phenomena impacting the quality of 21st century education. Among critical phenomena impacting 21st century education is globalization (Darling-Hammond, 2010; Friedman, 2005; Zhoa, 2009). In this qualitative study, phenomenological methodology was used to examine experiences and perspectives of Catholic school administrators regarding the phenomenon of globalization. Specifically, the study explored understandings of Catholic school administrators within the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia regarding globalization, global citizenship, and global competencies. Further, this study investigated current practices fostering global citizenship within the Catholic school system. Purposeful sampling of individuals who serve in administrative roles in Richmond diocesan schools, including Junior Kindergarten (JK)-8, JK-12, and 9-12 levels, was used to identify 11 participants who met study inclusion criteria. Consenting individuals were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview regarding the phenomena of interest. Upon completion, participant interviews were transcribed and coded for analysis using qualitative methods consistent with phenomenology. Themes regarding globalization, global citizenship, and global competencies within the Catholic education system were identified. The results and findings of this qualitative study, including implications for educational leaders and recommendations for future studies, were summarized.
Doctor of Education
According to the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA, 2020), 2 million children attend K-12 Catholic schools in the United States. Among religious educational systems in this country, Catholic school systems are particularly significant. Thus, Catholic educational leaders should be part of a dialogue to improve the quality of education. Globalization is a phenomenon that impacts the quality of 21st century education. In this study, the researcher explored perspectives and experiences of Catholic school administrators regarding globalization and global citizenship. This study also investigated current practices fostering global citizenship within a Catholic school system. Administrators in Richmond diocesan schools, including Junior Kindergarten (JK)-8 and 9-12 levels, participated in interviews. The researcher identified themes regarding globalization, global citizenship, and global competencies within the Catholic education system. The results and findings of this study will be used to improve the quality of Catholic education programs.

An aspect of Australian education is the continued presence of the Catholic schools including those in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. They have continued to be a significant part of Australian education after decades of ups and downs. The question today is not whether Catholic schools will survive but rather how effective they will be despite the changes which have taken place over the last few decades. Catholic schools still aim to provide all the elements of a State education, and in addition, to offer them within a Catholic setting. They have tried to create an environment that will continue to reflect the cultural values of its members. The Theses is on Catholic Education in Practice: A Case Study of a Catholic High School in the A.C.T. The Theses is based on historical and analytical approach. The results of a case study involving random sampled students, their parents/guardians and teachers in a Catholic High School in the A.C.T. sets out to investigate what factors still attract them to the Catholic school despite the significant changes that have taken place since Catholic education was introduced into Australia. By examining these three groups of people who are directly involved in Catholic schools, it is hoped that a more balanced assessment of the extent to which ideals and practices of Catholic education have been retained. The results show that students attend Catholic schools for a variety of reasons including academic and religious and because of the traditional approach to areas such as discipline. The religious values continue to be an important part of the school which makes it distinctively Catholic, but the integration is not as pervasive as previous due to the change in the nature of staff and students at the school.

For almost one million college students in the United States, the Catholic university is Church. This study describes the experience of students at three Catholic universities. A work of Practical Theology, these reflections offer an opportunity for examination of the ecclesiology of the university not only in the liturgical sense but in the relational sense as a community of the faithful. It contains a full explication of Catholic and non-Catholic students’ description of their experience of Catholic identity at three metropolitan Catholic universities, how that experience was evoked in the process of interpretive theological reflection, and the themes that have emerged from those reflections. The themes most emphatically expressed on all three campuses were community, relationship, and service. The students describe their experiences in the chapel, the classroom, the dormitory, and the offices of administration and financial aid.

Students in this reflection expressed an expectation that their personal interactions with faculty, staff, and administration, as well as their prayer and worship practices, would be different at a Catholic university. When these interactions did not meet their expectations, it was the university as Catholic that had failed. The failure was, in student Rachel’s words because “you can’t just call yourself Catholic and not do anything about it.” For these students, everyone on the university campus is seen as a part of the university’s Catholic identity because for them the university is Church, both in the liturgical and ecclesial sense. The insights gained have value for Catholic institutions committed to an ongoing conversation on what it means to be Catholic.

In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, principals are often ill prepared for the demands of the job. According to Baxter (2012), every year in the Archdiocese approximately 30 principal vacancies are filled. Many of the Pastors who hire for these vacancies do not have an educational background, nor do they have much experience in hiring practices. With the increase of lay educators leading Catholic schools, not only are competent principals needed, but principals who can be Pastoral, educational, and managerial leaders (Manno, 1985). To increase the probability of hiring strong candidates for the principal vacancies in schools across the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, a hiring protocol is needed to standardize the process, while encouraging collaboration and input from multiple stakeholders. This case study implemented and evaluated a hiring protocol at one school site within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The protocol was designed to help Catholic schools hire qualified principals, and its development was guided by previous research on effective hiring procedures for such positions. The case-study data collected provides insight into the benefits and of using this specialized hiring protocol while also identifying potential changes to further strengthen the protocol. The results of the case study will be shared with the Department of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to provide a framework for a principal hiring protocol that can be used at all school sites.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Cleveland State University, 2009.
Abstract. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Mar. 11, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 252-291). Available online via the OhioLINK ETD Center and also available in print.

Research on school leadership speaks to the importance of evaluating school administrators. Evidence suggests that involving school leaders in the design of the evaluation process as well as including feedback from stakeholders in the school community as part of the evaluation process can positively impact administrators' professional practice. Effective assessment supports the continued development and growth of school leaders.

In the local archdiocese the pastor evaluates the parish school administrator, using a standard form based on the job description and issued by the superintendent's office. The same self-evaluation is completed by the principal and discussed with the pastor. Since the pastor is typically not an educator, questions arise about the accuracy and usefulness of the data generated by the evaluation. These questions lead to discussions about the efficacy of the process and generate ideas for improvement and a willingness to effect change.

This dissertation study seeks to identify perceptions of Catholic elementary school principals about the current evaluation process in their diocese, exposes administrators to research into best practice in leadership evaluation, and shows how these principals collaboratively designed an evaluation tool and process. This action research process tracked changes in attitudes and beliefs about effective evaluation that occurred as the administrators designed a new tool and method for potential implementation in their diocese. Trends were identified and coded utilizing the research questions and the theoretical framework of Organization Governance, Leadership Theory, Evaluation Theory and Change Theory. This qualitative research study adds administrator voices to the developing professional dialogue about effective leadership evaluation.

In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, principals are often ill prepared for the demands of the job. According to Baxter (2012), every year in the Archdiocese approximately 30 principal vacancies are filled. Many of the Pastors who hire for these vacancies do not have an educational background, nor do they have much experience in hiring practices. With the increase of lay educators leading Catholic schools, not only are competent principals needed, but principals who can be Pastoral, educational, and managerial leaders (Manno, 1985). To increase the probability of hiring strong candidates for the principal vacancies in schools across the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, a hiring protocol is needed to standardize the process, while encouraging collaboration and input from multiple stakeholders. This case study implemented and evaluated a hiring protocol at one school site within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The protocol was designed to help Catholic schools hire qualified principals, and its development was guided by previous research on effective hiring procedures for such positions. The case-study data collected provides insight into the benefits and of using this specialized hiring protocol while also identifying potential changes to further strengthen the protocol. The results of the case study will be shared with the Department of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to provide a framework for a principal hiring protocol that can be used at all school sites.

Catholic schools are important institutions in the United States educational system. They demand discipline, high academic standards, and religious moral values rooted in Catholic beliefs which are designed to have an impact throughout life (Ciriello, 1998). A critical component in determining school quality lies with the principals' leadership (Sergiovanni, 1997). Principals are critical to successful K-12 schools and must exercise considerable responsibility for establishing collegial learning cultures among the instructional team and stakeholders, including parents, community members, and students. The principal can no longer accomplish such a momentous task alone. Success of today's Catholic relies on the competent and committed performance of many people acting together with common goals. Catholic schools do not mirror those of twenty years ago (Cummings, 2003). Within the past five years, principals in Catholic schools have increasing job responsibilities and expectations. With the implementation of the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Strategic Plan in 2003, Catholic school principals in the Archdiocese must fulfill their primary function as instructional leader, and the additional roles outlined by the plan. Declining enrollment, lack of funds, and a perceived lack of quality, has forced principals to market their school to increase enrollment and solicit substantial funds for the school to remain viable. New roles create a problem for principals lacking training or knowledge in specialized areas. Based on a review of available literature, including (a) distributive leadership, (b) collaborative leadership, (c) shared leadership, and (d) school boards, this study investigated principal perceptions of collaboration and implementation of consultative school boards. This study employed a mixed method research design including a survey, interviews, and a document review of the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Strategic Plan to answer research questions. This study found a leader who needs collaborative leadership skills to lead a quality school involving all stakeholders to assist the school in remaining viable. Principals confirmed a need for greater participation by all stakeholders and assistance in forming consultative school boards. Information gathered contributes to the limited literature on Catholic school leadership, specifically a principals' role in implementing collaborative leadership in Catholic elementary schools through consultative school boards.

This study examines the educational provision for Roman Catholic children in the Diocese of Salford 1870-1944. It begins with a review of the position in 1870, attained by the efforts of William Turner. the first Bishop of Salford, in collaboration with his priests and people. It is argued that this effort was based on Five Principles: Education had to be based on Religion, Catholic Education had to be under Catholic Control, Catholic Education had to be made available to all Catholic children as and when means permit, Catholic Education had to be efficient in its religious and secular content, The rights of parents to decide upon the education of their children had to be respected. An account is then given of the growth of both elementary and post-elementary provision across the diocese under five successive bishops, Herbert Vaughan (later Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster), Thomas Bilsborrow, Louis Charles Casartelli, Thomas Henshaw and Henry Vincent Marshall. Consideration is given to the "political" activity that took place throughout this period in connection with Catholic Education. The question is posed and answered: Were the Five Principles adhered to or developed by successive bishops? Case Studies are presented throughout the thesis to illustrate the general arguments by particular examples. The thesis ends in the prelude to the 1944 Education Act.

Nosso trabalho teve por finalidade analisar como se manifesta a interação teologia/educação nas atividades e procedimentos da escola católica. Para isto, localizamos escolas católicas que possuíam teólogos inseridos em suas equipe profissionais ou que tenham tido assessoria de teólogos durante um certo tempo. Interessava-nos saber como é percebida a presença do bacharel de teologia no cotidiano escola. Por outro lado, também procuramos perceber se o tema da escola em pastoral evidenciado pela linha da Educação para a Justiça e para a Liberdade era, ainda, uma proposta em vias de consolidação ou após 35 anos de seu anúncio tornou-se algo ultrapassado. Para cumprir o nosso objetivo, realizamos entrevistas semi- estruturadas com as direções, os professores de religião e teólogos que trabalham em escolas católicas; além de termos estudado os documentos das escolas (projetos políticos- pedagógicos, regimentos etc). Constatamos que há novos desafios a serem respondidos pela escola católica que deseja atuar em pastoral, dentre eles: o pluralismo religioso, o secularismo e a nova estrutura familiar. À nova problemática da escola católica a teologia, através da figura do bacharel, tem muito a colaborar. Os/as teólogos presentes nos diferentes colégios católicos que pesquisamos têm trabalhado em permanente diálogo com os setores pedagógicos, facilitando a real construção de uma comunidade educativa. Esta realidade, leva-nos a acreditar na fecundidade do diálogo entre a teologia e a educação.
This study analyzes the interaction between Theology and Education in the activities and procedures of Catholic schools. With this objective, the study was carried out in Catholic schools with theologians amongst their staff or acting as consultants for a period of time. The principal focus was in understanding how a university graduate with a Theology degree is perceived. A related interest was in finding out whether the theme of pastoral schooling, grounded in the Theology of Liberation and emphasizing education for justice and freedom, is still a potent force, 35 years after its initiation, or has become obsolete. In order to achieve this objective, interviews were conducted with the headmasters, the teachers of religious studies and the theologians who work in these Catholic schools. School documents, such as the political-pedagogic project, rules and norms etc., were also analyzed. The study shows that new themes have been developed by Catholic schools wanting to develop pastoral work, including religious pluralism, secularism and the new family structure. The conclusion of the study is that Theology, through the figure of the university graduate with a bachelors degree in Theology, has a lot to contribute to the new problems faced by Catholic schools. Theologians, acting in the schools studied, have maintained a permanent dialogue with pedagogic themes, thus facilitating the construction of a real educational community. This leads us to believe in the fruitfulness of a dialogue between Theology and Education.

This qualitative case study begins with the reasoning that a central concern and mission of the Catholic Church is social justice. Catholic schools, as institutions of the Church, are intentional in responding to this central concern and mission. This study attempted to explore how schools fulfill this mission, and in so doing, how students experience three identified principles of Catholic social teaching. This qualitative case study suggests that the school's response to mission will be found in the students' experience. This qualitative case study conducted a thorough review of the literature and research pertaining to Catholic social teaching, the history and purpose of inner city Catholic schools, and the Catholic school as a community. The researcher employed the use of observations, focus group interviews, and document review to investigate the research question: How do students in an inner city Catholic elementary school experience three essential principles of Catholic social teaching: Life and dignity of the person; Call to family, community, and participation; and Preferential option for the poor and the vulnerable? The methodology for this study was designed as socially committed research, to provide a way of knowing for both researcher and participants.

This mixed methods research investigated how young adult alumnae from a Catholic female high school perceive the impact of their high school service experience concerning their "beliefs" about the importance of service, current "engagement" in service, and their beliefs about and engagement with four Catholic Social Teaching principles (life and dignity, care for the poor, solidarity and common good, and rights and responsibilities) related to social justice.

This research draws data from young adult alumnae from a Catholic female single-sex high school in a metropolitan city of the United States. The data collection included a web-based survey (N=131), individual interview (n=9), and school documents review. Catholic theology of the human person, and Catholic social teaching principles served as the conceptual framework for data analysis.

The quantitative data revealed that Catholic high school service program experience positively impacts participants' "beliefs" about the importance of service (65%), and the importance of four Catholic social teaching principles (73%). The qualitative data corroborates with the quantitative findings. However, participants lacked translating their beliefs in to action with only 42% reporting as "engaged" in service. Although a majority of participants (60%) reported as engaged in activities related to four CST principles, in reality only 25% are significantly engaged in service in the past 12 months. Catholic educators are invited to examine their service pedagogy and address factors that contribute to low level of service engagement. Further research is suggested to identify factors that would raise the level of service engagement in alumnae's young adult life.

Thesis advisor: Karen D. Arnold
The purpose of this research was to identify the primary duties and responsibilities of mission officers in Catholic higher education and develop an accompanying set of core competencies for professional development purposes. Mission officers first appeared in Catholic colleges and universities in the 1980s, in response to declining numbers of priests and religious on campuses, increased secularization of the academe, and reduced course requirements in the liberal arts, particularly philosophy and theology. These changes as well as others within higher education, American society, and the Catholic Church raised concerns about the distinctive Catholic identity and mission of Catholic colleges and universities. Although 80% of Catholic colleges and universities have appointed a mission officer to galvanize campus-wide efforts to strengthen the religious character of these institutions (Gilroy, Sloma-Williams, & Galligan-Stierle, 2014), as of yet there are no established educational qualifications, professional norms, or set of competencies to guide the professional practice and development of current and future mission officers. Thirty-seven experienced mission officers participated in four rounds of data collection using a modified Delphi research method. Seventy-four percent of the 27 duties and over eighty percent of the 32 competencies identified, refined, and prioritized in this study reached consensus as critically important or very important by more than three-quarters of the study participants. The study findings indicate that mission officers interact on a regular basis with many groups and individuals at both senior and lower levels within the institution. Many mission officer duties involve efforts to galvanize the campus community, particularly faculty and student affairs professionals, in order to integrate the mission across the institution. Effective mission leadership requires both a top-down and bottom-up approach to mission integration along with leadership skills, knowledge of the Catholic intellectual tradition, collaboration and communication skills, and a demonstrated commitment to the Catholic identity and mission of the university
Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2014
Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education
Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education

Catholic schools are an important element of the educational environment in the United States and are often the subject of effectiveness studies. However, Catholic school leadership, for the most part, is left out of the research loop (Schuster, 2000). While the learner affects schooling outcomes, the leadership of the school principal is the critical component in determining school quality (Sergiovanni, 1997). Today's Catholic schools differ greatly from Catholic schools prior to Vatican II. School leaders are faced with greater responsibilities than their predecessors. For example, within the Los Angeles Archdiocese, Catholic school principals are challenged to strategize different ways to market their schools, increase their enrollment, and raise funds for schools to remain viable. Based on a literature review on Catholic school leadership, including (a) the history of Catholic schools in the United States, (b) Catholic school governance, (c) Catholic school leadership, (d) strategic planning, and (e) the changing role of the school principal in the future of Catholic education, the following three research questions serve as the premise of the study: . What do Catholic elementary school principals identify as skills needed to lead Catholic schools in the 21st century? . What are Catholic elementary school principals' perceptions of how their role is changing? . How do Catholic elementary school principals identify their role and the current struggles of implementing a centralized strategic plan in a large Catholic diocese? This study employs a mixed-methods research design including a document review of the Los Angeles Archdiocese Strategic Plan and a survey containing multiple choice, Likert-scale type questions, and open-ended qualitative items. This research study is conducted to identify Catholic school elementary principals' role in implementing the current Strategic Plan for the Los Angeles Archdiocese and struggles principals encounter in implementing the Strategic Plan at their school site. Further, this research investigates how the Catholic school principalship is changing and the necessary skills that Catholic elementary school principals need to practice for leading these schools in the 21st century. Recommendations are discussed for Catholic elementary school principal training needed to lead future Catholic schools. Catholic schools are an important element of the educational environment in the United States and are often the subject of effectiveness studies. However, Catholic school leadership, for the most part, is left out of the research loop (Schuster, 2000). While the learner affects schooling outcomes, the leadership of the school principal is the critical component in determining school quality (Sergiovanni, 1997). Today's Catholic schools differ greatly from Catholic schools prior to Vatican II. School leaders are faced with greater responsibilities than their predecessors. For example, within the Los Angeles Archdiocese, Catholic school principals are challenged to strategize different ways to market their schools, increase their enrollment, and raise funds for schools to remain viable. Based on a literature review on Catholic school leadership, including (a) the history of Catholic schools in the United States, (b) Catholic school governance, (c) Catholic school leadership, (d) strategic planning, and (e) the changing role of the school principal in the future of Catholic education, the following three research questions serve as the premise of the study: . What do Catholic elementary school principals identify as skills needed to lead Catholic schools in the 21st century? . What are Catholic elementary school principals' perceptions of how their role is changing? . How do Catholic elementary school principals identify their role and the current struggles of implementing a centralized strategic plan in a large Catholic diocese? This study employs a mixed-methods research design including a document review of the Los Angeles Archdiocese Strategic Plan and a survey containing multiple choice, Likert-scale type questions, and open-ended qualitative items. This research study is conducted to identify Catholic school elementary principals' role in implementing the current Strategic Plan for the Los Angeles Archdiocese and struggles principals encounter in implementing the Strategic Plan at their school site. Further, this research investigates how the Catholic school principalship is changing and the necessary skills that Catholic elementary school principals need to practice for leading these schools in the 21st century. Recommendations are discussed for Catholic elementary school principal training needed to lead future Catholic schools. Catholic schools are an important element of the educational environment in the United States and are often the subject of effectiveness studies. However, Catholic school leadership, for the most part, is left out of the research loop (Schuster, 2000). While the learner affects schooling outcomes, the leadership of the school principal is the critical component in determining school quality (Sergiovanni, 1997). Today's Catholic schools differ greatly from Catholic schools prior to Vatican II. School leaders are faced with greater responsibilities than their predecessors. For example, within the Los Angeles Archdiocese, Catholic school principals are challenged to strategize different ways to market their schools, increase their enrollment, and raise funds for schools to remain viable. Based on a literature review on Catholic school leadership, including (a) the history of Catholic schools in the United States, (b) Catholic school governance, (c) Catholic school leadership, (d) strategic planning, and (e) the changing role of the school principal in the future of Catholic education, the following three research questions serve as the premise of the study: . What do Catholic elementary school principals identify as skills needed to lead Catholic schools in the 21st century? . What are Catholic elementary school principals' perceptions of how their role is changing? . How do Catholic elementary school principals identify their role and the current struggles of implementing a centralized strategic plan in a large Catholic diocese? This study employs a mixed-methods research design including a document review of the Los Angeles Archdiocese Strategic Plan and a survey containing multiple choice, Likert-scale type questions, and open-ended qualitative items. This research study is conducted to identify Catholic school elementary principals' role in implementing the current Strategic Plan for the Los Angeles Archdiocese and struggles principals encounter in implementing the Strategic Plan at their school site. Further, this research investigates how the Catholic school principalship is changing and the necessary skills that Catholic elementary school principals need to practice for leading these schools in the 21st century. Recommendations are discussed for Catholic elementary school principal training needed to lead future Catholic schools.

The topic of Catholic school viability is the backdrop of this study, which examined issues associated with Catholic school sustainability and the possibilty for transformation. The focus was a case study of a single Catholic elementary school in a historically magrinalized community. The experiences and reflections of 10 heterogeneous members of the school community were examined in light of the school's attempt to transform and ultimately sustain itself. The study took a holistic look at the school's organizational processes in order to identify sustainability measures and characteristics. Methods included observation, interview, document review, and an application of the principles associated with appreciative inquiry, a tool used in organizational development and reform. The study's findings, viewed through the lens of chaos theory, are framed as tensions. Tensions here refer to the push/ pull elements in the shcool's struggle to find balance between new additions to the school program and what already exists (Pascale, Millemann, & Gioja, 2000). The findings are grouped as a primary tension, which is general in nature, and secondary tensions, which are specific to St. Leo School. The primary tension illustrates how a school undergoing change is marked by circumstance, unpredictability, co-creation, and resistance to environmental control. The secondary tensions detail the struggles over internal/external organizational control, Catholic school/market organizational principles, and staff and stakeholder retention/turnover. Additionally, it was found that the core characteristics of community, spirtuality, and justice act as binding elements that complement salary perks or tuition scholarships for teachers and students, respectively. Questions about the role of benefactors, school boards, and other external influences on the life of the school were also raised and examined. Overall, the findings supported the notion that Catholic schools in historically marginalized communities must seek innovative measures yet be able to adapt to a constantly shifting environmental landscape in order to survive.

This study examined principals’ perceptions of faith-based schools in Southern California. A 6-item survey was distributed by hard copy to 217 Catholic principals affiliated with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and by e-mail to 218 Protestant school principals affiliated with the Association of Christian School International. The survey was completed by 148 principals (101 from Catholic schools and 47 from Protestant schools, 34% of population), suggesting that hand-delivered surveys yielded a higher return. However, the Protestant principals who responded exclusively online completed significantly more comprehensive written comments or transcripts to the survey.

Both groups of principals revealed high parent engagement in both types of schools and the selection by parents of a faith-based school was based upon personal values. However, highlights revealed that these administrators placed a high level of importance on open and consistent communication with parents and being visibly present on the campus. Principals were present at morning drop-off, visible on-site throughout the day, and at pick-up. In addition, the schools maintained a current website, frequent parent conferences by teachers and principals, and weekly or daily messages using various technological forms. Principals commented that they desired that every interaction with the school was positive and informative. Principals indicated that parent volunteer activity tended to be different in the two types of schools. Catholic school parents were expected to volunteer to work at the school, and participate in fund raising activities for the school. These parental expectations were vital to the school’s financial base, as nuns continue to be replaced by lay teachers. In addition, Catholic school parents were required to supervise completion of a child’s homework and support school rules, such as children wearing uniforms. Protestant school principals indicated that their parents were active in school-based activities such as sports, the performing arts, classroom support, as well as in school-wide activities such as open houses and fundraisers. Although the Catholic and Protestant schools provided opportunities for parents to participate in the school decision-making process, few principals reported all parent school boards or parents making the primary decisions beyond participation in the selection of the school principal.

Historians have generally tended to represent the pioneering Catholic mission in Western Australia as an homogenous ecclesiastical entity with little cultural diversity. With a few notable exceptions the nature of the Western Australian colonial Catholic mission is portrayed as a 'hibernised' form of Catholicism with an Irish clergy taking care of the pastoral needs of a predominantly working class Irish Catholic constituency. This thesis challenges the traditional paradigm as restrictive, and argues that it ignores significant contextual influences and veils the wider cultural tapestry in which the Western Australian pioneering Catholic mission proceeded. The traditional analysis of the internal dynamics of the Catholic mission implies that there was a beneficial, almost symbiotic relationship between sympathetic bishops and their 'valiant helpers.' Internal conflicts concerning administrative issues have been represented as little more than mere personality clashes. The thesis takes a more critical contextual approach and argues that the manifestation of internal dissension during this period can only be fully explained by taking account of external influences rather than local conditions. These influences include both Gallican and Ultramontane ecclesiastical perspectives as well as the individual community cultures that were transported from Europe to the Perth diocese by missionary personnel. This new perspective corrects the more traditional approach which overlooked the different ecclesiastical approaches, orientations and community cultures that were represented within the colonial Catholic mission. This expansion of the existing interpretative paradigm through which historians view the West Australian Catholic mission in general and the development of the school system in particular marks a significant shifi in the existing historiography. As a consequence, scholars will in future take a more critical approach to the study of not only the Catholic education system but also the Western Australian Catholic mission in general. Rather than representing the definitive closing chapter it is intended that this work will invigorate renewed historical interest in the development of the Australian Catholic mission.

Historians have generally tended to represent the pioneering Catholic mission in Western Australia as an homogenous ecclesiastical entity with little cultural diversity. With a few notable exceptions the nature of the Western Australian colonial Catholic mission is portrayed as a 'hibernised' form of Catholicism with an Irish clergy taking care of the pastoral needs of a predominantly working class Irish Catholic constituency. This thesis challenges the traditional paradigm as restrictive, and argues that it ignores significant contextual influences and veils the wider cultural tapestry in which the Western Australian pioneering Catholic mission proceeded. The traditional analysis of the internal dynamics of the Catholic mission implies that there was a beneficial, almost symbiotic relationship between sympathetic bishops and their 'valiant helpers.' Internal conflicts concerning administrative issues have been represented as little more than mere personality clashes. The thesis takes a more critical contextual approach and argues that the manifestation of internal dissension during this period can only be fully explained by taking account of external influences rather than local conditions. These influences include both Gallican and Ultramontane ecclesiastical perspectives as well as the individual community cultures that were transported from Europe to the Perth diocese by missionary personnel. This new perspective corrects the more traditional approach which overlooked the different ecclesiastical approaches, orientations and community cultures that were represented within the colonial Catholic mission. This expansion of the existing interpretative paradigm through which historians view the West Australian Catholic mission in general and the development of the school system in particular marks a significant shifi in the existing historiography. As a consequence, scholars will in future take a more critical approach to the study of not only the Catholic education system but also the Western Australian Catholic mission in general. Rather than representing the definitive closing chapter it is intended that this work will invigorate renewed historical interest in the development of the Australian Catholic mission.

Although Catholic schools are the largest sector of the national private and faith-based educational market, the overall student enrollment in Catholic K-12 schools has steadily declined. In order for Catholic schools to remain sustainable and competitive among the many different educational options in the twenty-first century, they must set themselves apart from other schools by offering unique learning opportunities that support twenty-first century education while promoting Catholic educational values. Recognizing the need for updated teaching practices, balanced pedagogy with Catholic educational values, and focused research on Catholic education, this two-year multiple-case study explored the instructional practices of eight middle level Catholic teachers during an initiative focused on shifting instructional strategies to support twenty-first century education supported by educational technology integration. Teaching practices were documented through participant observations, interviews, survey, and historical and field evidence. Data illuminated much variability in teachers' interpretations of twenty-first century education, classroom practice, and levels of technology integration. All teachers encouraged creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration in their instruction, however these specific domains of learning were primarily supported through an emphasis on lower order cognitive skills and processes. Although evidence suggested consistent technology integration in classrooms, technology was primarily used to substitute or augment instruction as opposed to the transformation of teaching and learning to support twenty-first century education. Data also revealed a balance between Catholic educational values and new teaching pedagogies except in Religion classes or instruction. This finding suggested content subject culture was a confounding aspect to instructional practices. This study highlights suggestions for teacher practice that include rethinking the purpose and structure of assessment, balancing personal opinions of technology with twenty-first century instruction, and shifting teacher-student classroom roles to foster teaching and learning environments that support creativity. Furthermore, additional implications for teachers and policy makers center on collaboration as a model for student learning, and to promote a shared vision for Catholic education in the twenty-first century. The implications for future research focus on expanding the study to include school level influencing factors and participants, centering on Religion class as the context, and the inclusion of students' perspectives.

Papua New Guinea gained its independence from Australia in 1975. However, as a developing nation, PNG has continued to depend on external assistance for its development programs. Extensive foreign aid has been expended primarily to enhance the quality of education. To explore the issue of foreign aid and its impact on PNG as a postcolonial society, the dependency and postcolonial theories were adopted to guide the discussion. The theorist Beeby argues that in order to improve the quality of education, the level of general education and training of teachers in developing countries must be raised. This has occurred in PNG but it has not significantly enhanced the quality of education. Consequently, the issue explored concerns the type of educational change occurring in PNG primary teachers’ colleges (PTCs) and its leadership. Globalization processes were adopted to guide the exploration of the education reform and its impact on the quality of education in primary teacher education in PNG. The following questions focused the content of the study:1. What is the quality of education being experienced in the Catholic Primary Teachers’ Colleges? 2. What are the lecturers’, students’, and recent graduates’ perceptions of the recent Primary and Secondary Teacher Education Project innovations occurring in the teachers’ colleges? 3. How is the curriculum in the teachers’ colleges perceived by the lecturers, students and recent graduates? 4. How is leadership demonstrated in the three Catholic Primary Teachers’ Colleges? The epistemological framework of the research was constructionism adopting an interpretivist approach. The specific interpretivist perspective employed was symbolic interactionism because symbolic interactionism places emphasis on the importance of understanding, interpretation and meaning. A case study approach was adopted as the methodology for this research because of the nature of the research purpose. This study involved a total of 166 participants consisting of staff and students from the three Catholic primary teachers’ colleges, representatives from the Catholic Church, National Department of Education (NDOE), Primary and Secondary Teacher Education Project (PASTEP) and other education officers. The data was gathered through a variety of methods including in-depth interviews, participant observation, focus groups, and documentary analysis. The major conclusions that emerged from this study revealed that educational change in primary teacher education has been implemented. However, the study concluded that the quality of leadership demonstrated to lead the educational change was disappointing. Inadequate leadership at the administration and curriculum levels had a negative influence on the quality of education. Achieving quality education was also hampered by inadequate funding, scarcity of resources and inappropriate infrastructure in all the institutions. The two-year trimester program has improved access and quantity but at the expense of quality. To assist primary teacher education implement the reform agenda, foreign aid was required. PASTEP was introduced and the contribution made by PASTEP was substantial. However, the study concluded that some of the strategies adopted by PASTEP to conduct its programs were questionable because there was evidence of hegemonic and colonial practices found among some of its workforce. In accepting foreign aid projects, PNG needs to establish strategies to ensure equitable partnerships with all stakeholders for sustainable development in education. In this respect, the findings of this study may serve as a guide for future decisions about educational leadership, curriculum innovation, donor funding agencies and policy generation.

The study sets out to examine the impact of the clustering on the relationship between the individual school and the Parish Priest, on the relationship between the individual schools, and on the relationship between the schools and their parish communities. It seeks to propose findings and recommendations to assist similar initiatives in Australia and beyond.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Education, 1992.
Analyses the Catholic Leadership Education Programme in the archdiocese of Adelaide in terms of the work of Paulo Freire and Carl Jung. Spine title: The Catholic Leadership Education Programme. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 255-260).

Thesis (M.A.P.S.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 2006.
Vita. "The Marriage Resource Manual has been designed to gather the information needed to successfully implement a Marriage Education/Enrichment Program within a parish."--leaf 57 Includes bibliographical references (leaves [112-113], 140-142).

Thesis advisor: Dennis Shirley
This dissertation is a conceptual study of Catholic education as a distinctive approach for learning in elementary and secondary Catholic schools. It draws upon the academic disciplines of philosophy, theology, and education to construct a theory of pedagogy that attends to and faithfully reflects the particular beliefs and aspirations of Catholic education. The opening historical analysis describes significant changes to the US Catholic school landscape, including the ways in which Catholic education is defined and accounted for in the life of the school. This analysis is widened to explore the claim that there is no adequate definition of Catholic education today. Together, these observations reveal an urgent need for new theories to realize the core mission of Catholic education. Toward this end, I develop a conceptual framework for Catholic education interbraiding Christian anthropology—emphasizing the themes of imago Dei, relationship, and grace—relevant Church documents authored by the Congregation of Catholic Education, and the pedagogical theory of Bernstein (1990, 2000). I employ this framework to construct a new pedagogical theory for Catholic education. The theory explores the identity of the person as both a knower and a learner. Bernstein’s (2000) concepts of classification and framing are used to articulate the distinctively Catholic qualities of the pedagogy. The pedagogical discourse features three dynamic movements: composition, juxtaposition, and transposition. Each movement consists of practical and spiritual considerations that, over time, foster learning and strengthen relationships. These outcomes, or text (Bernstein, 2000), create the conditions for deepening the dispositions of discipleship while allowing persons an essential way to participate in the flourishing and fullness of each other’s lives in the realm of God’s grace. The final segment of the dissertation explores the ways in which the instructional model, tutoría, appropriates the new pedagogical theory for Catholic education. I trace the evolution of tutoría and highlight the experiences of students and educators who are implementing the model in four schools in Chile. The dissertation concludes with a discussion on the value of the new pedagogical theory for Catholic schools globally
Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2021
Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education
Discipline: Teacher Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction

The purpose of this quantitative study was to provide insight to the perspectives of leaders and individuals in authority within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles system of Catholic parochial schools regarding current models of governance, levels of authority, and decision-making processes. There is a lack of clearly-defined levels of decision-making authority from the bishops to the Archdiocesan Department of Catholic Schools down to the individual schools. The pastors, principals, and Department of Catholic Schools personnel shared their perspectives of current governance structures and elements of three emerging alternative governance models. Data were analyzed through a factor analysis of the survey items to explore the strength of the three categories of the governance models represented by the three groups of questions. Next, the descriptive statistics of the specific questions relating to each of the three governance models and community voice were compiled. A Cronbach’s alpha was calculated for each group of questions to measure internal consistency. In order to explore relationships between perceptions among the three independent variable groups (pastors, principals, and Department of Catholic Schools personnel), a Chisquare analysis was run for each of the questions on an ordinal scale. The study showed significant differences in participant responses between the three groups surveyed. However, there was agreement that community voice must be incorporated into governance, but only in a consultative manner. There was also agreement that a strong governing presence at the central office would be beneficial.

In early 1983, the Catholic Education Authority in Sydney issued a major curriculum document for the systems 210 Primary schools on Religious Education. One year after the documents' release there was evidence of its negligible impact in classrooms. Studies of overseas, Australian, and local system-level changes supported the view that there was relatively limited documentation of the processes followed in the implementation of system-level change. As its starting point, the Field Study pursues the development in eight schools of a system-stimulated implementation process over twelve months. A historical perspective of the system is given; implementation of change is defined; and the approach used in the study is sited in the theoretical context of Action Research. The body of the study is written in an 'inter-leaving' style. In each Chapter a chronological descriptive approach is followed and, as appropriate, theoretical considerations are introduced as a method of reflection and interpretation of the process. Among the processes under investigation, major consideration is given to planning, monitoring and collaborative staff development. The specific strategy of change developed is that of a Co-operative Peer Support Scheme, based on Goodlad's concept of a "league". Concerns - Based Adoption Methodology (CBAM) is used as a monitoring technique. An original contribution to the monitoring processes is the invention and application of a micro-computer program for analysis of the Stages of Concern of the teacher participants in the Project. The salient findings of the Study are that the particular plan had been effective, and that system planning can only be directional. Monitoring procedures that are are amenable to use in system-level change were demonstrated to have been useful. Clear focussing of issues, the generation of locally produced learning materials, and conscious use of adult learning process enhances the outcomes of the Project. Finally, the goal-free descriptive approach followed identifies more sharply new questions requiring further exploration: mechanisms leading to group formation; the interrelationship between psychic-group and socio-group processes; the roles of change-agents and the support system; and the quality of use rather than the percentage of users.

Time-based reform proposals are founded on the assumption that more time in school will produce great learning outcomes. Research shows that when schools adopt time-based reform initiatives, there are certain considerations that they should make and methods they should follow to ensure the change produces the outcomes intended. This was not the case in a local Archdiocese where a calendar extension was adopted by several elementary schools.

This qualitative case study focused on the adoption of a calendar extension at one Catholic elementary school. The researcher gathered data from the pastor, principal, teachers, parents, and students to determine how these stakeholders envisioned the outcomes of this change, how they perceived the time was being used for curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular purposes, and the challenges and opportunities that they felt existed after three years of implementation. Data collected over a four-month period included classroom observations, stakeholder interviews, focus group meetings, and document analysis.

An inductive analysis of the data collected was used to determine emergent themes and domains within the school. The seven themes that emerged include: decision making, planning and implementation, advantages, financial motivations, the culture of teaching, leadership, challenges and complications of the extended calendar.

Recommendations include the need for school leaders to familiarize themselves with change management techniques including setting a shared vision, establishing a collaborative implementation plan, and developing a system of assessment prior to embarking on school reform.

In light of the challenges faced by post-modern principals, and the changes in the Catholic Church and in Catholic education, this study aimed to analyse and identify the work of the principal in a Catholic school in the late 1990s. This meant examining the perceptions of the principal's work as identified by principals themselves, and those key players who work with them in Catholic schools. The study identified the key behaviours of principals in Catholic schools, and the factors that tend to enhance or inhibit their work. In the initial phase of the research, the instrument used in the study was a self administered questionnaire that consisted of 123 key behaviours which respondents were asked to rate according to degree of importance. The second instrument used was a semi-structured interview with a sample of principals. This methodology was designed as a further check on reliability and validity of the questionnaire. It was apparent from this research that in the late 1990s, it was essential that the principal in a Catholic school be committed to creating an authentic Catholic school where a climate of care prevailed, and where respect and privacy for families was upheld. The principal must be committed to whole school philosophy, orientated toward servant leadership, and able to articulate and bring into practice the ethos of a Catholic school. As well, the study showed that it was crucial for the Catholic school principal to ensure appropriate staffing, and that an atmosphere of co-operation and communication existed within the school community. In developing policies that incorporated the ideals of the Vision Statement, the study suggests that the Catholic school principal ensured that excellence in all areas of human growth is treasured. Bearing in mind that each participating group indicated different priorities, support for the principal and the development of skills, is essential for their work to be effective in Catholic schools of the new millennium.

The Catholic Diocese of South Carolina engaged in an extensive preparation program to ready the Catholic community for desegregation several years before the process occurred in 1963. After the Brown v. Board of Education decision, the diocese took steps to work for racial justice even though Catholics made up a small minority of the state’s population. In 1961, Bishop Paul J. Hallinan issued a Pastoral Letter that outlined the preparation process towards desegregation. The diocesan actions included integrating the first elementary school in South Carolina, challenging local politicians who were hostile to racial equality, and the development of a Syllabus on Racial Justice. While it took the diocese nine years to desegregate, the planning process allowed for an orderly transition. This work places the South Carolina Catholic desegregation story within the context of the struggle for and resistance to what C. Vann Woodward referred to as the Second Reconstruction.

School leaders and principals have an obligation to use every tool at their disposal to maximize student achievement. All students deserve the best use of data to inform the decision-making of those entrusted to deliver the finest education available to them. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the perceptions of principals in Los Angeles Archdiocesan high schools about the use of assessment data in their schools by finding how they were using assessment data to inform curricular and pedagogical decisions, and then determining what factors affect the use of assessment data to inform their curricular decision-making.

This study was a mixed-method investigation using a quantitative survey to find processes in Archdiocesan high schools that capture and utilize assessment data to inform decision-making, as well as to determine the principals’ perceptions of the benefits and challenges related to assessment data usage. The qualitative aspect of this study consisted of interviews of Archdiocesan high school principals meant to expand upon the findings of the survey. The findings of the study, viewed through the lens of a conceptual framework, suggest a breakdown in the use of data from the very beginning of the process. Standardized assessment data are the information used to drive curricular decisions while data from formative assessments and curriculum maps, are utilized less frequently. The study also found that, while principals feel that their teachers valued the use of data, there was room for growth in the protocols enlisted to analyze assessment data, and in the cultivation of a culture of collaboration and learning.