Catholic Education Distinctive And Inclusive

How coherent is the claim that Catholic education is both distinctive and inclusive? This question, so crucial, both for the adequate articulation of a raison d'être for Catholic schools all over the world and also for the promotion of their healthy functioning, has not hitherto been addressed critically. Here it receives penetrating analysis and constructive resolution in a comprehensive treatment that integrates theological, philosophical and educational perspectives. The argument draws on wide-ranging scholarship, offering new insights into the relevance for Catholic education of thinkers whose work has been relatively neglected. The advance in understanding of how distinctiveness relates to inclusiveness is underpinned by the author's lengthy experience of teaching and leadership in Catholic schools; it is further informed by his extended and continuing dialogue with Catholic educators at all levels and in many different countries.

How coherent is the claim that Catholic education is both distinctive and inclusive? This question, so crucial, both for the adequate articulation of a raison d'être for Catholic schools all over the world and also for the promotion of their healthy functioning, has not hitherto been addressed critically. Here it receives penetrating analysis and constructive resolution in a comprehensive treatment that integrates theological, philosophical and educational perspectives. The argument draws on wide-ranging scholarship, offering new insights into the relevance for Catholic education of thinkers whose work has been relatively neglected. The advance in understanding of how distinctiveness relates to inclusiveness is underpinned by the author's lengthy experience of teaching and leadership in Catholic schools; it is further informed by his extended and continuing dialogue with Catholic educators at all levels and in many different countries.

This book draws upon the authors understanding and findings from four qualitative studies conducted within two Canadian provinces as well as an amalgam of relevant documents of the Catholic Church, the academic writings of others, and media reports. It is from those sources that the authors attempts to shed some light on the phenomenon of the inclusion of non-Catholic students within 10 dimensions: social/ cultural, political, financial, legal, racial, administrative, pedagogical, psychological, spiritual, and philosophical. The data from these four studies is from constitutionally protected and funded Catholic high schools. The other sources of data are both national (Canadian) and international. Dr. Donlevy is the Associate Dean (Interim): Graduate Division of Educational Research in the Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary and the Vice-Chair of the University of Calgary’s Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board. He has taught grades 4-12 (inclusive), been a school principal, and is permanently certified as a teacher in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. He has negotiated on local levels for both the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation. He is also a member of the Saskatchewan Law Society, having become a barrister & solicitor in 1985.

This collection of essays by American and British authors discusses how the methods and issues of Catholic schooling are becoming of increasing interest to non-Catholic schools - due to the Catholic method of schooling being perceived as more humane.

"Provides theoretical and practical guidance for Catholic school leaders seeking to more effectively provide integrated and comprehensive services to all students"--Provided by publisher.

In this ground-breaking book, Gerald Grace addresses the dilemmas facing Catholic education in an increasingly secular and consumer-driven culture. The book combines an original theoretical framework with research drawn from interviews with sixty Catholic secondary head teachers from deprived urban areas. Issues discussed include: *Catholic meanings of academic success *tensions between market values and Catholic values *threats to the mission integrity of Catholic schools *the spiritual, moral and social justice commitments of contemporary Catholic schools This book will be equally useful to leaders of Catholic and other schools and to all those interested in values and leadership in schooling.

The authors examine a broad range of Catholic high schools to determine whether or not students are better educated in these schools than they are in public schools. They find that the Catholic schools do have an independent effect on achievement, especially in reducing disparities between disadvantaged and privileged students. The Catholic school of today, they show, is informed by a vision, similar to that of John Dewey, of the school as a community committed to democratic education and the common good of all students.

The Catholic school is unique because it is a religious community within an academic community. There is a dual purpose in a Catholic school--learning and believing. This handbook provides Catholic educators with an effective tool for understanding and articulating the distinct characteristics of the Catholic school. Chapter 1 discusses ways in which the teachings of Jesus Christ inform Catholic education. Chapter 2 discusses the dual goals of learning and believing in Catholic schools--how the Catholic school is both an academic community and a community of believers. The third chapter discusses the dignity of the human being and the inalienable right to an education, parents as the primary and principal educators of their children, and the obligation of the state and church to help parents educate their children. Chapter 4 describes how the goal of Catholic schools is to permeate every education experience with the message of love and the vitality of Christ's presence. Suggested readings accompany each chapter. The appendix contains suggested formats for teacher-orientation sessions. (Contains 184 endnotes). (LMI)