The mission of the Catholic school will best be realized through gathering hard data within the community on population trends and movements, then making realistic plans on this basis. In this context, the school remains a conservator of Catholic tradition and yet is also a change agent. (Author/SJL)

Presents some 1980 data demonstrating that Catholic and private high schools do have higher achievement and better course offerings than public high schools, but cautions parents to use personal values as well as statistics when selecting a school. One of three theme articles: "Reflections on the 1981 Coleman study." (SJL)

Reviews Catholic school provisions for the education of blind and visually handicapped students and considers what more needs to be done to fully implement the Pastoral Statement of the Bishops on Handicapped People (1978). Suggests a vision consultant to coordinate services and provide staff development. (SJL)

To throw light on the value of Catholic education today, the author looks at the role and objectives of Catholic schools throughout American history. (SJL)

Reported is a study of one affluent community which has experienced a sharp enrollment shift toward private education. The public and nonpublic school parents sampled differed strongly in satisfaction with public school achievement, discipline, and moral training. Academic motives for school choice predominated. The Catholic sub-sample receives…

A survey of 30 National Catholic Educational Association Schools examined their ability to make needed program changes according to Davis' eight factors: Awareness of Need, Resistances, Values, Information, Ability, Timing, Circumstances, and Yield. This article compares a vital, growing school and a declining one on these eight factors.…

Explores the effects of religion/ethnicity on educational and occupational attainments of White males. Suggests that future research should focus on the structural contexts in which these effects occur. (ST)

Reports on a survey of parent and teacher attitudes in tax-supported and privately financed Catholic schools in Canada. It was found that the commitment of both groups was higher in privately supported schools. The author theorizes that, up to a point, institutional jeopardy calls forth increased involvement. (SJL)

Because the Court refused to address certain constitutional claims, the result is a confusingly broad ruling encompassing all church-related schools, which could obliterate distinctions between secondary and postsecondary education. Available from the Duquesne Law Review, 901 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219; sc $4.00.…

Explores the relationship of political and religious belief by tracing religious criticism and political crises since the Age of Enlightenment. Predicts changes in ideological bases of religion in future societies and suggests that civilization will place organized religion (particularly, Catholicism) in a less central role. (Author/DB)

Describes the widespread parental involvement in Catholic schools, such as in parent-teacher organizations. Discusses the importance of these organizations in creating a sense of community. Describes how the development of adult religious education classes and the collaboration between parent organizations can create a sense of unity among parents…

Describes the collaboration between a parish elementary school and a university that offers the children a possibility of going to college and enables university education and psychology interns to obtain real world experience. Lists the collaboration strategies used, such as mentoring. Discusses benefits for the elementary students, interns, and…

Explores the achievement of disadvantaged students in Catholic schools and considers the costs of comparable educations. Catholic school students, especially minority students, outperform others on standardized tests, although Catholic school students are not equivalent to public school students. The Catholic school cost per student is lower than…

Examines four models for secondary education (magnet schools, school reform models, small high schools, and Catholic high schools) that have been shown to strongly improve educational outcomes for urban minority children, or at least strongly influence the reform movement, explaining why the comprehensive high school design has failed in urban…

Suggests that Catholic school administration should provide opportunities for faith formation in the following ways: (1) placing the work of the board in upper theological context; and (2) reinterpreting the practical work of the board as an adult faith response to baptismal calling. Doing so will provide spiritual and material rewards. (MZ)