Foreword

Loyola University Chicago, the School of Education, and the Center for Catholic School Effectiveness are pleased to offer this printed version of National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools to all those interested in securing a strong future for Catholic elementary and secondary schools for generations to come.

This landmark document is the result of two years of broad collaboration among Catholic educators across the nation. Leaders and scholars in Catholic institutions of higher education, superintendents, principals, bishops, congregational sponsors, pastors, National Catholic Educational Association directors and executive committee members, and Catholic school supporters, have all contributed, sharing their collective wisdom, expertise, experience, and passion.

The publication of these effectiveness standards gives the entire Catholic community a common framework of universal characteristics of Catholic identity and agreed upon criteria for Catholic school excellence. With this framework, we can and must hold ourselves accountable for the excellence and rigor, faith and nurturance that have been the hallmark of Catholic education, and which we must now guarantee for future generations.

Sincerely,
Lorraine A. Ozar, PhD
Director, Center for Catholic School Effectiveness
School of Education, Loyola University Chicago