tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13701466.post5372396894062437278..comments2023-11-23T10:29:38.494-06:00Comments on Catholic Educator: Catholic Schools of the FutureFnwchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337287231762962378noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13701466.post-12649326885505068312011-02-16T11:46:14.216-06:002011-02-16T11:46:14.216-06:00A little late to respond to this, but I just want ...A little late to respond to this, but I just want to say thanks for business analogy. I think it is very useful to construct the argument and the issues we're facing from this perspective as it creates a level playing field of language with stakeholders outside of education.<br /><br />Thanks again.Rickyhttp://aceadvocates.nd.edunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13701466.post-5868024135772474522011-02-05T12:52:34.450-06:002011-02-05T12:52:34.450-06:00"Bottom line: each diocese, each segment of t..."Bottom line: each diocese, each segment of the diocese would need to determine if such a move makes sense for them. I just think we need to be willing to look at models that will sustain us..."<br /><br />Very true. I think what's often lost in discussions about the benefits of Catholic schools is the local control each diocese and each school has--the ability to address the needs of a specific population and community.<br /><br />Thanks for the providing such great food for thought.Nick Sengerhttp://www.nicksenger.com/cscnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13701466.post-6023198399039607052011-02-05T10:41:07.348-06:002011-02-05T10:41:07.348-06:00Nick,
I appreciate these sentiments and understan...Nick,<br /><br />I appreciate these sentiments and understand the concern. In response, if a diocese decided to locate a middle school on a high school campus, it would be most important to run them as two entirely separate programs, with very little cross connections, rather than as simply a 5th or 6th grade in a high school, wandering the hallways with high school kids. As radical as that idea seems to us Catholics, we should remember that MANY private schools are set up as K-12 institutions, so it's not as radical as it seems. To be sure, it would change the dynamic at our elementary schools to move the older kids out and I am sure that some very positive elements would be lost in that transition. But I think there would be real gains, too, as our older children would be afforded more opportunities, with greater access to resources. <br /><br />Bottom line: each diocese, each segment of the diocese would need to determine if such a move makes sense for them. I just think we need to be willing to look at models that will sustain us...Fnwchshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11337287231762962378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13701466.post-46159972266831205172011-02-05T10:05:33.341-06:002011-02-05T10:05:33.341-06:00Thanks for posting this excellent piece. I especia...Thanks for posting this excellent piece. I especially liked the business analogy.<br /><br />And I agree that Catholic schools need to look at more innovative ways of operating.<br /><br />I have to say, though, that I hope Catholic schools do not move to the junior-high model so prevalent in public schools. In my experience, putting 6th-8th graders together isolates them from the youthful innocence of the students in grades K-5. I notice this especially at Masses. I've been on accreditation teams in both kinds of schools, and there I've noticed a better atmosphere in the K-8 schools.<br /><br />It could be argued that having 6-8 students so close to K-5 students exposes younger students too early to more mature conversation; however, my experience is that it is the presence of younger students who keep the older students more "young at heart."<br /><br />Seeing the younger students reminds the older students of their responsibility as role models, and gives them more chances to tutor and mentor the younger students.<br /><br />On the other hand, 6-8 junior highs seem to encourage students to act how they think older students should act, often leading to negative or destructive behaviors.<br /><br />I think Catholic school junior highs are a bad idea.Nick Sengerhttp://www.nicksenger.com/cscnoreply@blogger.com