Research on Religion and Education – serie

American Evangelicals and Religious Diversity is a qualitative study of how religion and education intersect at one conservative Christian school. The school is Evangelical and American. The school’s curriculum is bible-based and fulfills its state’s educational requirements for high school graduation. While the school has an environment that is Evangelical, the students live in a religiously-diverse world. This book documents how three students and their teacher struggle to understand a world that challenges their faith. The context for this understanding is how the teacher presents and the three students come to understand Catholicism, Islam, and the indigenous religions of the Americas. Americans continue to debate whether religious schools are too parochial and do not prepare students to live a diverse society.

American Evangelicals and Religious Diversity is a qualitative study of how religion and education intersect at one conservative Christian school. The school is Evangelical and American. The school’s curriculum is bible-based and fulfills its state’s educational requirements for high school graduation. While the school has an environment that is Evangelical, the students live in a religiously-diverse world. This book documents how three students and their teacher struggle to understand a world that challenges their faith. The context for this understanding is how the teacher presents and the three students come to understand Catholicism, Islam, and the indigenous religions of the Americas. Americans continue to debate whether religious schools are too parochial and do not prepare students to live a diverse society.

Two major real-world problems prompted this study: maintaining the Catholic identity of the Catholic schools, and increasing interest in character education. Traditionally, Catholic schools in the United States were staffed exclusively by priests, sisters, and brothers. Today, they are predominately staffed by laypersons. This change has influenced the essential religious character and culture of Catholic schools. While Religious filter their teachings through their own religious training and emphasize the mission and charisma of Catholic education, lay staff often lack the same intensely religious experiences to bring to the teaching/learning environment. This qualitative interview study explored the influence that a series of spirituality and virtue seminars had on lay teachers’ perceptions of the Catholic school and character education.

Two major real-world problems prompted this study: maintaining the Catholic identity of the Catholic schools, and increasing interest in character education. Traditionally, Catholic schools in the United States were staffed exclusively by priests, sisters, and brothers. Today, they are predominately staffed by laypersons. This change has influenced the essential religious character and culture of Catholic schools. While Religious filter their teachings through their own religious training and emphasize the mission and charisma of Catholic education, lay staff often lack the same intensely religious experiences to bring to the teaching/learning environment. This qualitative interview study explored the influence that a series of spirituality and virtue seminars had on lay teachers’ perceptions of the Catholic school and character education.

This book examines whether or not and how personal religion associates with school cultural capital. Specifically, on one level, the book offers insights and empirical data on who is choosing, teaching, and working in parochial schools and what motivates them to do so in the schools, issues that still remain largely unexplored in the educational research literature. In particular, it centers on the significance of personal religion and commitment as a reason for choosing and serving in parochial schools. On another level, the book is an attempt to enhance our understanding of the leadership orientation, school satisfaction, teacher assertiveness and empowerment, educational aspiration, and parental involvement in parochial schools, attributes reportedly essential for successful schools. Most importantly, at the heart of the book is an endeavor to estimate the influence of personal religion on the development of these cultural capital attributes and to address its implications for parochial schools as well as the current discussion on public schooling versus parochial schooling in the United States. To achieve these goals, the author will rely on first-hand empirical data collected for this book or other related research projects and adopt various scientific methods for data analysis and interpretation.The book shows that personal religion matters, but its impact is weaker than thought and is largely restricted to the students and parents in parochial schools, rather than their educators. To the extent that parochial schools excel more than public schools, personal religion seems to be responsible for the development of student and parent-level cultural capital such as parenting style and student desire for academic success and favorable attitude toward school, yet it does not necessarily engender the growth of teacher and administrator cultural capital. This result, to some extent, comes as a surprise but corrects and enhances our understanding about whether or not and how religion affects academic achievement.This book is an inquiry into the issue of school success and cultural capital, representing a scholarly contribution to the fields of education, religion, psychology, and sociology. Both scholars and lay people of education and religion will find this book a useful, informative, and insightful reference and classroom textbook.

This book examines whether or not and how personal religion associates with school cultural capital. Specifically, on one level, the book offers insights and empirical data on who is choosing, teaching, and working in parochial schools and what motivates them to do so in the schools, issues that still remain largely unexplored in the educational research literature. In particular, it centers on the significance of personal religion and commitment as a reason for choosing and serving in parochial schools. On another level, the book is an attempt to enhance our understanding of the leadership orientation, school satisfaction, teacher assertiveness and empowerment, educational aspiration, and parental involvement in parochial schools, attributes reportedly essential for successful schools. Most importantly, at the heart of the book is an endeavor to estimate the influence of personal religion on the development of these cultural capital attributes and to address its implications for parochial schools as well as the current discussion on public schooling versus parochial schooling in the United States. To achieve these goals, the author will rely on first-hand empirical data collected for this book or other related research projects and adopt various scientific methods for data analysis and interpretation.The book shows that personal religion matters, but its impact is weaker than thought and is largely restricted to the students and parents in parochial schools, rather than their educators. To the extent that parochial schools excel more than public schools, personal religion seems to be responsible for the development of student and parent-level cultural capital such as parenting style and student desire for academic success and favorable attitude toward school, yet it does not necessarily engender the growth of teacher and administrator cultural capital. This result, to some extent, comes as a surprise but corrects and enhances our understanding about whether or not and how religion affects academic achievement.This book is an inquiry into the issue of school success and cultural capital, representing a scholarly contribution to the fields of education, religion, psychology, and sociology. Both scholars and lay people of education and religion will find this book a useful, informative, and insightful reference and classroom textbook.

This book is a study of the contributions of Catholic K-12 schools in the United States to the public interest from the 1800’s to the present. It presents seven strategies that have the possibility of leading Catholic schools in positive, new directions. Outsiders often misunderstand the mission, purpose, and inclusivity of Catholic schools. This book brings a new focus on Catholic schools from the perspective of their service to this country through the education of Catholics and non-Catholics. In 16 chapters, a variety of scholars examine these schools across three periods: echoes of the past, realities of the present, and future directions.The intention of the editor and authors of this volume is that Catholic schools and those interested in conducting Catholic school research will find guidance, especially in examining newer types of partnerships flourishing in different types of Catholic schools in different regions of the country and types of schools from rural, suburban to city and inner-city schools. By increasing the data we have, such studies could help stem the tide of Catholic school demise.In addition, Catholic school leaders, and parents who chose them or are thinking about choosing them, will find here a balanced description of what constitutes a Catholic school and how they are different from public schools. In understanding better the role and function of Catholic schools in serving the public interest, new ideas, innovations, and improvements can help these schools survive and grow.

This book is a study of the contributions of Catholic K-12 schools in the United States to the public interest from the 1800’s to the present. It presents seven strategies that have the possibility of leading Catholic schools in positive, new directions. Outsiders often misunderstand the mission, purpose, and inclusivity of Catholic schools. This book brings a new focus on Catholic schools from the perspective of their service to this country through the education of Catholics and non-Catholics. In 16 chapters, a variety of scholars examine these schools across three periods: echoes of the past, realities of the present, and future directions.The intention of the editor and authors of this volume is that Catholic schools and those interested in conducting Catholic school research will find guidance, especially in examining newer types of partnerships flourishing in different types of Catholic schools in different regions of the country and types of schools from rural, suburban to city and inner-city schools. By increasing the data we have, such studies could help stem the tide of Catholic school demise.In addition, Catholic school leaders, and parents who chose them or are thinking about choosing them, will find here a balanced description of what constitutes a Catholic school and how they are different from public schools. In understanding better the role and function of Catholic schools in serving the public interest, new ideas, innovations, and improvements can help these schools survive and grow.

This book describes the organizational processes and changes coupled with leadership changes over three distinct eras from 1995-2015. It illustrates the challenges the college faced, and the actions taken to resolve issues and make changes. The successes, and the barriers encountered as the organization worked toward solutions to the many interrelated and confounding social and financial issues with which the college was facing, are also described.In the book, John Kotter’s Steps of Organizational change and culture is the theoretical context in the analysis of data. Kotter stresses the point that in Organizational change the “Culture” must be anchored in order for change to take place successfully. Kotter understands “Culture” as the Organization’s Identity and the Organization’s attitude for “Change”. The concept of “Culture” also includes how “Identity” and “Change” interrelate to one another. Unfortunately, this “anchoring of culture” does not often happen in many organizations which leads to failure and the dying of Organizations. In general, Kotter’s theory is typically used in for-profit organizations, whereas the All Hallows’ study applies Kotter’s theory to a faith-based and non-profit organization. Although All Hallows enjoyed 172 years of educational contributions, the book will illustrate how legacy challenges, sense of complacency, lack of vision and mission identity at critical times of change failed to inculcate and anchor an Organizational Culture and Identity for Change.

This book describes the organizational processes and changes coupled with leadership changes over three distinct eras from 1995-2015. It illustrates the challenges the college faced, and the actions taken to resolve issues and make changes. The successes, and the barriers encountered as the organization worked toward solutions to the many interrelated and confounding social and financial issues with which the college was facing, are also described.In the book, John Kotter’s Steps of Organizational change and culture is the theoretical context in the analysis of data. Kotter stresses the point that in Organizational change the “Culture” must be anchored in order for change to take place successfully. Kotter understands “Culture” as the Organization’s Identity and the Organization’s attitude for “Change”. The concept of “Culture” also includes how “Identity” and “Change” interrelate to one another. Unfortunately, this “anchoring of culture” does not often happen in many organizations which leads to failure and the dying of Organizations. In general, Kotter’s theory is typically used in for-profit organizations, whereas the All Hallows’ study applies Kotter’s theory to a faith-based and non-profit organization. Although All Hallows enjoyed 172 years of educational contributions, the book will illustrate how legacy challenges, sense of complacency, lack of vision and mission identity at critical times of change failed to inculcate and anchor an Organizational Culture and Identity for Change.

The administration of Pre K – 12 Catholic schools becomes more challenging each year. Catholic school leaders not only have the daunting task of leading a successful learning organization, but also to serve as the school community’s spiritual leader and the vigilant steward who keeps the budget balanced, the building clean, and maintaining a healthy enrollment in the school. Each of these tasks can be a full time job, yet the Catholic school principal takes on these tasks day after day, year after year, so that teachers may teach as Jesus did.The goal of this book is to provide both beginning and seasoned Catholic school leaders with some insights that might help them to meet these challenges with a sense of confidence. The words in this text provide research-based approaches for dealing with issues of practice, especially those tasks that are not ordinarily taught in educational leadership programs. This text helps to make sense of the pastoral side of Catholic education, in terms of structures, mission, identity, curriculum, and relationships with the principal’s varied constituencies. It also provides some insights into enrollment management issues, finances and development, and the day in day out care of the organization and its home, the school building.As a Catholic school leader, each must remember that the Catholic school is not just another educational option. The Catholic school has a rich history and an important mission. Historically, education of the young goes back to the monastic and cathedral schools of the Middle Ages. In the United States, Catholic schools developed as a response to anti-Catholic bias that was rampant during the nineteenth century. Catholic schools developed to move their immigrant and first generation American youth from the Catholic ghetto to successful careers and lives in the American mainstream. However, most importantly, Catholic schools have brought Christ to generations of youngsters. It remains the continuing call of the Catholic school to be a center of Evangelization—a place where Gospel values live in the lives of faculty, students and parents. This text attempts to integrate the unique challenges of the instructional leader of the institution with the historical and theological underpinnings of contemporary Catholic education.

The administration of Pre K – 12 Catholic schools becomes more challenging each year. Catholic school leaders not only have the daunting task of leading a successful learning organization, but also to serve as the school community’s spiritual leader and the vigilant steward who keeps the budget balanced, the building clean, and maintaining a healthy enrollment in the school. Each of these tasks can be a full time job, yet the Catholic school principal takes on these tasks day after day, year after year, so that teachers may teach as Jesus did.The goal of this book is to provide both beginning and seasoned Catholic school leaders with some insights that might help them to meet these challenges with a sense of confidence. The words in this text provide research-based approaches for dealing with issues of practice, especially those tasks that are not ordinarily taught in educational leadership programs. This text helps to make sense of the pastoral side of Catholic education, in terms of structures, mission, identity, curriculum, and relationships with the principal’s varied constituencies. It also provides some insights into enrollment management issues, finances and development, and the day in day out care of the organization and its home, the school building.As a Catholic school leader, each must remember that the Catholic school is not just another educational option. The Catholic school has a rich history and an important mission. Historically, education of the young goes back to the monastic and cathedral schools of the Middle Ages. In the United States, Catholic schools developed as a response to anti-Catholic bias that was rampant during the nineteenth century. Catholic schools developed to move their immigrant and first generation American youth from the Catholic ghetto to successful careers and lives in the American mainstream. However, most importantly, Catholic schools have brought Christ to generations of youngsters. It remains the continuing call of the Catholic school to be a center of Evangelization—a place where Gospel values live in the lives of faculty, students and parents. This text attempts to integrate the unique challenges of the instructional leader of the institution with the historical and theological underpinnings of contemporary Catholic education.

Catholic Higher Education in the 1960s is a series of cases that describes and analyzes the transitions made by representative Catholic institutions in their attempts to update their governance structures and maintain their Catholic identity in the midst of the post-Vatican II era. This book will be of interest to historians of education and Catholic education; to administrators and faculty in Catholic schools and in other religious-based institutions that seek to understand the dynamic of balancing their religious identity with their attempts at 'reading the signs of the times.'

Catholic Higher Education in the 1960s is a series of cases that describes and analyzes the transitions made by representative Catholic institutions in their attempts to update their governance structures and maintain their Catholic identity in the midst of the post-Vatican II era. This book will be of interest to historians of education and Catholic education; to administrators and faculty in Catholic schools and in other religious-based institutions that seek to understand the dynamic of balancing their religious identity with their attempts at 'reading the signs of the times.'

The goal of this book is to examine the relationship between religion and academic success, both historically and in modern society. Very few books are dedicated to examining this very important topic. In addition, to this date there has never been a published quantitative meta-analysis examining the effects of religiosity and religious schools on academic outcomes. It is my hope that this book will be a useful tool for educators, researchers, professors, and parents who desire to examine this relevant and practical area of study. Our nation owes much of its educational foundation to the religious orientation of many of its founders, educational pioneers, and educational reformers. Although educational historians used to focus on the religious and moral orientation of people like Noah Webster, Horace Mann, Johann Pestalozzi, Emma Willard, Friedrich Froebel, and many others, contemporary educational historians inappropriately omit the religious roots of these individuals.