The Catholic bishops of the United States and the entire Catholic community continue their journey through the twenty-first century, it remains their duty to model the Person of Jesus Christ, to teach the Gospel, and to evangelize their culture. They are convinced that Catholic elementary and secondary schools play a critical role in this…

Fifty years after John Tracy Ellis challenged the quality and character of Catholic intellectual life, much work remains to be done. This essay explores Ellis's original assertions and places them in an overarching historical context that involves Flannery O'Connor and Thomas Merton.

This essay describes and analyzes one successful justice education program flowing from community service, and demonstrates how such a program in a Catholic school responds to several important "calls" to Catholic educators. These "calls" are issued by (a) the needs of the learners and the signs of the times, (b) official documents of the Church…

Contents include: "gaudium et spes" and campus ministry at a Catholic university (Daniel Germann); campus minister and president: partners in service (Charles L. Currie); lay ministry on a Catholic campus (Jennifer Konecky); campus ministry in a small institution: a model (James D. Poisson); campus ministry to and by faculty members…

This publication reports the findings of a 1997 survey of Catholic high schools. It is the first of several reports to be issued as part of a multiyear project. The findings are presented in five chapters: Institutional Characteristics, with emphasis on geography, governance, gender and grade levels, and selectivity; Staff and Student Profiles,…

Discusses educational techniques unique to the communication age, including virtual communities, customized knowledge banks, and virtual experiences. Suggests that collaboration among educators in these techniques offers moral support, improved effectiveness, and increased capacity for reflection, while leading to greater organizational…

Proposes the formation of a six-member school software selection committee comprised of parents, teachers, a curriculum director or administrative representative, and a technology coordinator. Describes a three-stage review process for choosing software packages, noting that other schools are an often overlooked resource for software information.…

Describes Camp Tech, a week-long activity that teaches junior high school students to apply technology to problem solving. Each annual Camp Tech has been organized around a different scenario, with each cabin representing world regions and minicorporations, and using technology to "Step into a Book." (DMM)

Argues that, although education was an important objective of the missions in Africa, the rapid expansion of education in southern Nigeria between 1885 and 1932 was actually the accidental outcome of missionary and Catholic Church rivalry, rather than the result of an altruistic policy to expand educational opportunities for Africans. (AF)

Reviews findings from the Assessment of Catholic Religious Education Surveys regarding students' perceptions about the schools (whether public or private) which they attend full time. Reports more positive attitudes about teachers and courses, but more negativity about discipline among students attending Catholic schools. (DMM)

Explores technology and its place in the Catholic school mission. States that the best use for technology is to help make learning more effective and meaningful. Identifies a need to meet the diverse learning styles of students, celebrate their unique cultural backgrounds, and help them appreciate the rapidly changing society into which they were…

Describes various research results on the benefits of cooperative learning. Also addresses the shift of Catholic school education toward cooperative learning, reflecting the civic-minded nature of Catholic doctrine and values. (YKH)

Reverend Val J. Peter, director of Girls and Boys Town, USA, states that loneliness is prevalent among today's children, no matter what their economic situation. Asserts that the reasons for loneliness include the growing need of parents to work, children having their own rooms, and overuse of personal technology. Asserts that Girls and Boys Town…

Presents the strategies used by Seton Hall University (New Jersey) for teacher retention and recruitment, including: (1) creating a master's degree program in Catholic School leadership; (2) starting EPICS (Educational Partners in Catholic Schools), which develops motivated and committed educators; and (3) designing a program for a master's degree…

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)…