Degrees of Alignment: Comparing Urban Catholic School System Leaders' and Principals' Perceptions of Factors Contributing to School Success

• In Event: Critical Perspectives on Achievement and Equity in Catholic Schools

Abstract

Urban Catholic schools have historically served low-income and immigrant populations; and despite some data indicating positive student outcomes; there is alarming closure rate for these schools. Previous research has called for urban Catholic schools’ system- and school-level educators to disrupt the status quo for innovative growth to occur in these settings (O’Keefe & Goldschmidt, 2014). Qualitative interviews were conducted with 28 system leaders (superintendents, etc.) exploring diocesan trends, perceived characteristics of thriving schools, and 32 principals exploring curriculum and instruction, services, partnerships, religious practices, and contributing factors to growth/changes. A sub-sample of 8 dyads of system leader-principal interviews from the same dioceses were analyzed, cross- and within-case, to examine themes of alignment and non-alignment regarding factors that contribute to thriving schools.

Authors

• Charles Tower Cownie, Boston College
  Presenting Author

• Audrey A. Friedman, Boston College
  Presenting Author

• Myra Rosen-Reynoso, Boston College
  Presenting Author

• Kierstin M. Giunco, Boston College
  Presenting Author

• Andrew F. Miller, Boston College
  Presenting Author

• Annie Smith, National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
  Non-Presenting Author