AIMS:The project examines the perceptions of significant stakeholders in the Catholic Education system concerning the nature, outcomes and effectiveness of the implementation of the Quality Assurance Processes developed by the Catholic Education Office (CEO), in the Archdiocese of Sydney. The study identifies factors that were assisting or hindering the effective implementation of these processes as they existed in 1996. It offers suggestions and recommendations for a future and more effective implementation of these processes. SCOPE This research is qualitative in nature, and uses interview as the main source of data collection. The Catholic schools selected for this study are those that have been involved in the implementation of the first Cycle of the Quality Assurance Processes of the CEO, Sydney. Care was taken to select two schools from each of the three Regions under which the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney are presently organised. CONCLUSIONS The achievement and maintenance of quality outcomes has always been an integral part of Catholic Education. Through the brief historical background, this study has revealed that leaders in Catholic Education in Sydney have always sought to achieve and maintain quality outcomes since the establishment of the first schools, up until the implementation of the current quality assurance processes. This study found that the current form of Quality Assurance Processes is a most effective means of achieving and maintaining quality outcomes in the present-day Catholic education system. The Processes are professionally articulated in context with current practices, and have the potential to enhance accountability, credibility and development of both the personnel and the schools system. The implementation of the Quality Assurance Processes, to a great degree, has been effective and successful, the present study has shown that, stakeholders are becoming more and more aware of the actual nature and outcomes of these processes. The study also found great optimism among in the key player about the future of the Processes and has concluded that they well received and appreciated across the system. There were a few concerns about the clarity of aims and objectivity, the link between the different processes, and the apparently high and technical terms involved in naming/describing these Processes. The study has, therefore, concluded further that the Processes need streamlining, regular reviews and training programs to strengthen the practice and consolidate the gains and achievement. The implementation of Cycle 2 with appropriate modification is desirable.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--Dept. of Education, University of Adelaide, 1966. / Cover title: Success and failure of first year university students with special reference to the school attended. Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-96).

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2010. / Directed by Svi Shapiro; submitted to the Dept. of Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Jul. 14, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-167).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Iowa, 2009. / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 141-144).

This research examines the challenges and opportunities of implementing diversity and multicultural education in faith-based Catholic high schools in Ontario, Canada which meets the requirements of both the Equity and Inclusive Education (EIE) and the Catholic Equity and Inclusive Education (CEIE). The data for this research were generated through interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders—teachers, parents, students, educational assistants and educational administrators at the Catholic District School Board and the Community of the Beloved Catholic High School. Based on data analysis and review of literature in the areas of equity, inclusive education and multicultural education, the current research identified the school culture as the most decisive component in realizing the strategy for inclusion and safe schools required both by the EIE and the CEIE. The fundamental challenge identified by this research is that multiculturalism and diversity are fairly broad sets of values, programs, and projects in Canada which offers challenges in understanding what educational strategies and approaches for realising them in faith-based schools. In addition, this research found out that Catholic schools and boards of education have become sites for conflict and tension in the understanding, interpretation and application of what different stakeholders understand and implement about equity and inclusion. The current research discovered that this tension is an opportunity for the Catholic schools to create a new identity through a greater commitment to ‘real encounters’ between teachers and students which place a greater accent on the cultural and personal experiences and social location of students. This research proposed that the separate educational system in Ontario needs to discover new ways of meeting the challenges of multicultural education. The research recommended how such new ways could draw from the rich social teaching resources of the Christian tradition with regard to options for the poor, and from recent studies and innovations in critical theories of cultures, pedagogy and educational policies and programs in pluralistic societies. Such a new approach will be broad enough to integrate diverse interpretations of diversity and multiculturalism in Canada, and specific enough to model effective pathways for meeting the needs of students and the goals and priorities of a safe schooling culture within a specific faith- based setting. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Socio-Education)

In the past, Catholic schools have made a significant contribution to educational provision in Lebanon. In the restructuring of society in post-war Lebanon, Catholic schools are called on to continue to provide academic excellence. To meet this need, principals of Catholic schools are challenged to provide instructional leadership and manage schools effectively. Against this background, this study explores the Catholic school principal's role with regard to its management and leadership capacity. A literature study investigates theories of management and leadership as applied to the principal. An overview of the Catholic school system in Lebanon is given against the backdrop of historical, social, political and economic factors. The role and tasks of the Catholic school principal are examined with particular focus upon the unique spiritual dimension of the role. From this theoretical and descriptive base, the research design is described. A qualitative investigation of the principal's role was conducted. Data gathering was done by means of an preliminary questionnaire, individual interviews and a focus group interview as well as participant observation in a Catholic school in Lebanon. The interviews explored the themes of management and leadership as experienced by a small sample of principals of Catholic schools. Data was analysed, discussed and synthesised. Significant issues discussed included management topics such as delegation, strategic planning, time management, financial management and the evaluation and staff development of teachers; leadership topics comprised vision, mission, faith formation, and school culture. The findings provide a basis for a recommended profile and model for the Catholic school principal. The study suggests that the future effectiveness of the principalship rests upon the clear conceptualisation and implementation of both management and leadership functions. In the light of this, the present formation and training of the principal may fall short in meeting the increasingly complex demands of Lebanese Catholic schools. Without strong endorsement and training for educational management and leadership principals in Catholic schools could face a precarious future. Further research and management training and formation is needed to lead Catholic school principals into a steadfast future. / Educational Leadership and Management / D.Ed. (Educational Management)

Although called by our vocation and the mission of Catholic schools, students with disabilities (SWD) are underserved in Catholic education. Only approximately 1% of the nation’s SWD population (67,000 students) attend private schools with 40% identified as Catholic (U.S. Department of Education, 2018a). Despite the small number, SWD and peers that struggle are attending our schools and therefore, must be included meaningfully and served successfully. This study dispels the myths around the admission and service of students with Down syndrome in Catholic schools and informs educational leaders on how to create and sustain inclusive environments aligned with Catholic Social Teachings. A qualitative research approach comprising semi-structured interviews and document review was used in the study. The framework of Catholic social teachings and the epistemology of inclusivity were used to get answers to the two research questions: (a) how does a Catholic elementary school serve students with Down syndrome? and (b) What are the challenges in serving students with Down syndrome in a Catholic elementary school? The significance of this case study lies in witnessing and documenting one elementary Catholic school’s experience of creating, developing, establishing, and modeling an inclusion environment that serves the needs of its students with Down syndrome. This study ultimately provides data to those in similar Catholic school settings in developing and implementing fully inclusive environments. This study further expands the discussion in the field of Catholic education about the right(s) of all Catholic children, especially students with Down syndrome.

No description available.

[pt] Desafios é uma das palavras que define o processo empreendido nesta pesquisa. A razão é que a Escola Católica, em sua missão, encontra-se cada dia mais desafiada pelas constantes transformações que o desenvolvimento tecnológico e científico têm apresentado com consideráveis avanços e superações. É também necessário pensarmos no ser humano e nos seus processos diante de expressivas mudanças na comunicação e nas relações. A Igreja Católica, atenta as essas mudanças de configurações sociais e desejosa de responder às inquietações próprias do tempo, em 1965, através do Concílio Vaticano II, culmina a concepção de um processo de aggiornamento que tem como proposta promover uma atuação pastoral que tenha como modelo às fontes Bíblica e Patrística. Anterior a esse acontecimento, temos o surgimento das Escolas Católicas, que por meio do protagonismo de homens e mulheres que percorreram o caminho de santidade, realizaram a sua missão no campo da Educação. Esses, estando atentos às necessidades do tempo em que viviam, e imbuídos de ardor apostólico, fundaram, em todo o mundo, Escolas capazes de conjugar o anúncio de Jesus Cristo e uma educação de qualidade, porque não há evangelização sem a promoção da dignidade humana. Por isso, as Escolas Católicas estão no centro dessas mudanças e, no atual contexto, sentem ainda mais de perto os efeitos de uma configuração social e educacional que tem se transformado e inovado em seus processos. No entanto, a crise humana é refletida em inúmeras áreas da sociedade, em que a normalização dos discursos de ódio, a falta de atenção e a proliferação de doenças ocasionadas pela falta de sentido da vida têm afetado principalmente as crianças e as juventudes. E ainda o drama da fome e da violência que resultam em uma complexa crise migratória. Por isso, refletir a respeito da formação humana em que a Pastoral Escolar está inserida e tem sua atuação a coloca diante de grandes desafios. / [en] Challenges is one of the words that defines the process undertaken in this research. The reason for that is because the Catholic School and its mission are increasingly challenged by the constant transformations that technological and scientific development present with notable advances and breakthroughs. It is also necessary to think about the human being and the human processes in face of these remarkable changes in communication and relationships. The Catholic Church, attentive to these changes in social configuration and yearning to answer to the anxieties of this time, through the Second Vatican Council in 1965 culminated the conception of an aggiornamento process, which proposes the promotion of pastoral work according to Biblical and Patristic sources as its model. Prior to this event was the emergence of Catholic Schools that, through the protagonism of men and women of holy journeys, fulfilled their mission in the field of Education. These, attentive to the needs of the time they were living in and imbued with apostolic passion, founded Schools all over the world capable of combining the proclamation of Jesus Christ and a quality education, because there is no evangelization without the promotion of human dignity. Thus, Catholic Schools are at the center of these changes and, in the current context, they feel even closer the effects of a social and educational configuration that has been transforming and innovating its processes. However, human crisis is reflected in numerous areas of society in which the normalization of hatred speech, inattention and proliferation of diseases due to the lack of life meaning have been especially affecting children and youth. And furthermore, the tragedy of famine and violence that result in the complex migratory crisis. Therefore, to reflect on the human education context in which School Ministry is found and performs in, places it before significant challenges.

Though women are overrepresented in education as classroom teachers, they continue to be underrepresented in decision-making leadership positions in education administration (Bynum, 2016; Coleman, 2003; Fuller, 2013; Grogan & Shakeshaft, 2011; Moorosi, 2018; Robinson et al., 2017; Torrance et al., 2017). The cause of the low representation of women in decision making has been attributed to a wide range of reasons spanning from ingrained patriarchal mindsets, societal biases, lack of professional networks, misconceptions of women in leadership, and the lack of leadership opportunities. Other causes of gender inequality in educational leadership are linked to a lack of a systematic mentorship ecology and infrastructure within institutions. Instead, there are hegemonic structures of White males in power who mentor other White males to continue the cycle (Robinson et al., 2017; Shakeshaft, 1989). It is a challenge in the Catholic church because traditional beliefs rooted in conservative Biblical interpretation may support and reinforce male domination in leadership contexts. The steady shift of society’s values and understanding of women, however, has revealed the growing acceptance of women as leaders in other industries beyond education, which contributes to a deeper understanding of leadership styles and how leadership can be androgynous. This study analyzed the experiences of current assistant superintendents or superintendents in a Catholic diocese. Experiences ranged from participants’ early days as teachers, administrators, and assistant superintendents or superintendents. This phenomenological study explored participants’ lived experiences with faith, spirituality challenges and barriers, and navigating relationships and accomplishing goals through transformational leadership.