CACE - National Catholic Educational Association

The Department of Chief Administrators of Catholic Education (CACE) of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) recognizes the diverse organization of Catholic education in each arch/diocese. Accordingly, the scope of CACE's membership is inclusive of those who support Catholic education through arch/dioceses, religious orders or networks, and higher education.

A key purpose of CACE is to provide initial and ongoing support the total development of Catholic school and catechetical leaders. This includes creating opportunities for communication and collaboration among members nationwide. To this end, CACE offers a variety of services and resources to support members in their diverse ministries, as well as to harness the capacity of its members to exert a unified approach on behalf of Catholic education.

The CACE Department consists of the Schools Division, Total Education Division, Religious Education Division, and Catholic Higher Education Supporting Catholic Schools (CHESCS) collaborative. The four groups are informed by an Executive Committee consisting of members elected from the Schools Division, the Religious Education Division, the Total Education Division, and a representative from CHESCS. The Executive Committee provides advice and consultation on the strategic actions of CACE, thereby supporting the organization's collective vision for all of Catholic education.

The CACE Department works in concert with the other departments of NCEA, including Elementary Schools, Secondary Schools, Religious Education, Boards and Councils, and Seminary. On matters of state and federal policy, CACE coordinates with NCEA's Director of Public Policy and Educational Research. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Council for the Advancement of Private Education (CAPE) are critical partners with NCEA in the development and implementation of a national agenda for Catholic education, as well as to advocacy for Catholic schools.

As a national professional organization that counts among its members those responsible for all aspects of Catholic education, CACE is necessarily a dynamic organization that relies on the active participation of its members to form a faith-filled professional community. CACE is committed to developing and supporting excellence in Catholic educational leadership by planning and approving programs and activities which address members' professional and faith formation needs.