Volume 2, Number 4
June 1999
Table of Contents
Editors' Comments (p. 379)
Thomas C. Hunt, Ronald J. Nuzzi
Articles
The Catholic School and the Quest for Unity
Jeffrey Gros, FSC
Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs
(pp. 380-397)
Christian unity has been a repeated theme of the papacy of John Paul II. Inspired by Vatican II’s call for a new openness to ecumenical efforts, the Pope has been an outspoken advocate for renewed dialogue among Christian churches. This article analyzes recent efforts and suggests ways in which the Catholic school, through its curriculum, faculty, governing boards, and outreach programs, can contribute to the ecumenical vision of Vatican II.
Mentorship: Adult Formation for Educators in Catholic Schools
Leona M. English
St. Francis Xavier University
(pp. 398-409)
Catholic history is filled with examples of seasoned believers sharing their faith and witness with younger generations in order to help inculturate them into the ethos of Catholicism. This essay presents a model for mentoring in Catholic schools, arguing that such collaboration is not only institutionally life giving, but also congruent with the stated community-building purposes of the school. Noting that even Jesus sent his disciples out “two by two,” the author describes the spirituality required of teachers as best experienced through sharing.
The Experience and Meaning of a Marianist Education Today:
A National High School Study of Mission and School Culture
Carolyn S. Ridenour, Alan Demmitt & Jill L. Lindsey-North
University of Dayton
(pp. 410-428)
Focus groups conducted with students, parents, teachers, and alumni (N=540) at 13 Catholic
Marianist high schools provided rich insights into the experience and meaning of the education provided at these institutions. While academic excellence was a common thread woven across meaning given by both parents and teachers, students and alumni articulated a meaning replete with images of belonging. That these schools valued persons holistically (rather than solely academically) permeated most groups. Using theories of organizational culture as the foundation, the relationship between missions and the meaning of life in these schools
is discussed.
Private Schools and the Public Good:
The Effect of Private Education on Political Participation and Tolerance in the Texas Poll
Jay P. Greene, Nicole Mellow & Joseph Giammo
University of Texas at Austin
(pp. 429-443)
Private Schools make an undeniable contribution to the public good. Nevertheless, many critics argue that public schools do a better job of instilling civic values in students. This article examines the effect of public and private education on political participation and tolerance and demonstrates that private schools excel in promoting civic values.
Internal Issues in Private Education
Lourdes Sheehan, RSM
National Catholic Educational Association
(pp. 444-453)
One of the keynote addresses at the Private Research Conference held at the University of Dayton in November of 1997 focused on “Internal Issues in private Education.” This paper addresses several salient points and then poses research questions related to this topic and to issues which embrace school participants school organizations and management, school climate and culture, and academic programs and support services in private schools.
Responses
John C. Holmes (pp. 454-457)
Association of Christian Schools International
Mary Peter Traviss, OP (pp. 458-461)
University of San Francisco
Focus Section
The School Choice Movement in the United States: How It Will Affect Catholic Schools
Theodore J. Wallace
Parents Advancing Choice in Education (PACE)
(pp. 464-478)
In this article, some of the most prominent school choice initiatives will be described. Opinion research trends regarding school choice and initial results from comprehensive research efforts to document student achievement in privately funded school choice scholarship programs will be summarized. The article concludes with implications which this exciting but increasingly complex arena of school choice may create for Catholic educators.
Financial Planning for Catholic Secondary Schools: Essential but not Determinative
Richard J. Burke
Catholic School Management, Inc.
(pp. 479-490)
Financial planning is one of the essential ingredients in successful Catholic secondary schools. Along with effective budgeting, solid financial management, financial reporting, and an effective teaching/learning program and environment, financial planning is key to the long-term viability of Catholic secondary schools. However, with increased emphasis on the need for financial planning, some Catholic school administrators and board members have allowed financial planning to determine the future direction of the Catholic secondary school. This article argues that this is an inappropriate course of action. Rather, long-range financial planning is one element in the comprehensive Catholic-school planning model. Indeed, this model should be mission driven, and any financial plan should be based upon the school’s strategic model which has proven to be effective for Catholic secondary schools.
Review of Research
Selected Programs for Improving Catholic Education: Attempting to Bridge Theory and Practice
Regina Haney & Joseph M. O’Keefe, SJ
National Catholic Educational Association & Boston College
(pp. 491-493)
Book Reviews
The Dying of the Light: The Disengagement of Colleges and Universities From Their Christian Churches
By James Tunstead Burtchaell
Reviewed by James L. Heft, SM (pp. 495-503)
Reviewed by James Madden (pp. 503-506)
Reviewed by Jeffrey Gros, FSC (pp. 506-509)
Learning From School Choice (pp. 509-511)
Edited by Paul E. Peterson & Bryan C. Hassel
Reviewed by Edwin J. McDermott, SJ