Issues in Research on Catholic Urban Schools in the Los Angeles Region

• In Event: Issues of Diversity in Urban Catholic Schools

Abstract

This presentation will explore current issues in researching urban Catholic K-12 schools. The presentation will draw on the experience of working as a team member on several research studies in urban Catholic schools of the Los Angeles region. These studies have focused on economically disadvantaged students, who are largely (over 85%) students of color. The objective will be to identify and discuss particular challenges in research related to this population and in this setting, in order to facilitate a shared understanding of these issues with other panelists and participants and move to opportunities for cooperation and exchange. The research is both qualitative and quantitative in nature, looking at demographic and achievement data as well as measuring the effect that the culture and climate of the setting has on school success or failure. The presentation will reference several published studies by a team of researchers at Loyola Marymount University, in addition to several studies that are currently underway. Other national research studies will be referenced as well. The presentation will address the unique challenges and opportunities in researching Catholic urban schools in the Los Angeles region, including methodological issues, the complexity of researching Catholic schools as a de-centralized, loosely-coupled system of schools, demographic challenges, and the complexity of relationships in the Catholic school system. The opportunities will include a rationale for why this research is critically important, including a review of the data indicating that urban Catholic schools are making positive contributions to the common good of civic society, and that the loss of inner city Catholic schools would be detrimental to the same.

Author

• Shane P. Martin, Loyola Marymount University