Catholic elementary school principals, speaking out in a major nationwide survey, report faithful commitments alongside acute challenges in the operation of their schools, and they identify financial management, marketing, Catholic identity, enrollment management and long-range planning as their schools' top five areas of need. The study, completed by the University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education and its Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program, is a rare, comprehensive glimpse of these principals' views on what they need in order to do their jobs better and how they describe the state of Catholic education today. "It is difficult to read the responses of Catholic school principals in this study and not sense both their commitment to this ministry and the overwhelming responsibilities that are associated with it," say the authors of "Leadership Speaks: A National Survey of Catholic Primary School Principals." They paint a picture of many principals as faith-filled individuals confronting unusually challenging expectations, worthy of new forms of support, such as their own national association. The study provides enormous amounts of data describing today's Catholic school principals and outlining their views, and the authors conclude with four recommendations: Develop "new models of governance for Catholic elementary schools" that shift the panoply of principal responsibilities "into a more manageable and realistic position description." "Develop a program of ongoing professional development and renewal for principals" that addresses their needs, both professional and personal. Organize a national association of Catholic school principals as a means "to give voice to their leadership concerns at every level and to promote advocacy for Catholic schools at the national level." "Convene multiple groups of national and international stakeholders to advance the understanding of Catholic schools as instruments of the new evangelization."

Research, Action, and Change offers an introduction to action research in Catholic schools through the specific lens of community and spirituality and provides eight original action research studies conducted by leaders in Catholic schools. Studies include action research on literacy practices of high school students, differentiated instruction and the introduction of an ELL program in elementary schools, the introduction of an advisory program for at-risk high schools students, accessing federal IDEA funds, and more.

This comprehensive compendium of research focuses on key aspects of Catholic education in the United States. The volume includes reviews of research on topics ranging from church documents, spirituality, and the philosophy of Catholic education to parents, students, teachers, administration and governance, and curriculum and instruction. Benefit to many audiences--policy-makers, church leaders, educators, researchers, students, practitioners, patrons, and citizens--who are interested in these schools.

The wealth of scholarly information provided here covers all areas of Catholic education, both school- and parish-based. The first volume of its kind ever published on Catholic learning and development, the handbook is an encyclopedia reference tool for the serious scholar as well as the committed Catholic educator.

Deepen your knowledge of Church teachings on Catholic education and foster personal prayer and reflection with No Greater Work: Meditations on Church Documents for Educators. Quotations from Church documents provide fertile ground for reflections, contemplative questions, and original prayers contributed by teachers and administrators in Catholic schools. Designed with the school year in mind, this spiritual resources offers 180 entries to nurture your teaching vocation, feed your spirit, and enhance the faith that you share with your students.

Catholic elementary school principals, speaking out in a major nationwide survey, report faithful commitments alongside acute challenges in the operation of their schools, and they identify financial management, marketing, Catholic identity, enrollment management and long-range planning as their schools' top five areas of need. The study, completed by the University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education and its Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program, is a rare, comprehensive glimpse of these principals' views on what they need in order to do their jobs better and how they describe the state of Catholic education today. "It is difficult to read the responses of Catholic school principals in this study and not sense both their commitment to this ministry and the overwhelming responsibilities that are associated with it," say the authors of "Leadership Speaks: A National Survey of Catholic Primary School Principals." They paint a picture of many principals as faith-filled individuals confronting unusually challenging expectations, worthy of new forms of support, such as their own national association. The study provides enormous amounts of data describing today's Catholic school principals and outlining their views, and the authors conclude with four recommendations: Develop "new models of governance for Catholic elementary schools" that shift the panoply of principal responsibilities "into a more manageable and realistic position description." "Develop a program of ongoing professional development and renewal for principals" that addresses their needs, both professional and personal. Organize a national association of Catholic school principals as a means "to give voice to their leadership concerns at every level and to promote advocacy for Catholic schools at the national level." "Convene multiple groups of national and international stakeholders to advance the understanding of Catholic schools as instruments of the new evangelization."

A selection of official documents of the Catholic Church that present the Catholic school as integral to the mission of the Church and at the heart of its efforts at evangelization.

Research, Action, and Change offers an introduction to action research in Catholic schools through the specific lens of community and spirituality and provides eight original action research studies conducted by leaders in Catholic schools. Studies include action research on literacy practices of high school students, differentiated instruction and the introduction of an ELL program in elementary schools, the introduction of an advisory program for at-risk high schools students, accessing federal IDEA funds, and more.

This book helps to advance the ongoing renewal and revitalization of Catholic schools in the U.S. through a careful study of some primary stakeholders-the pastors of parishes with schools. A part of the University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) efforts, this study advances the educational mission of the Church by helping to sustain, strengthen, and transform Catholic schools.

The editors believe that the knowledge base that has undergirded Catholic education in the past and underlies Catholic educational practice today merits the attention of scholars and interested parties, both within and outside of the Catholic educational community. Their book offers a wealth of scholarly information on all areas of Catholic education, both school- and parish-based.