Department Publications

Recent Publications

(click on the title or cover to be brought to the NCEA Store)

Gospels to Go: Guidance and Inspiration for Teachers By Sr. Melannie Svoboda, SND Everyone who believes in or has a stake in Catholic education, especially teachers and catechists, will enjoy this book. Based on readings from the gospel of St. Mark, it focuses on Jesus as teacher, alive and present with us. Regardless of grade level, experience, or discipline, this is an excellent book to lead personal prayer and reflection. 2010. pp126.

 

Inclusive Catholic Schools : A Matter of Possibilities By Juliana M. Taymans, Ph.D. and Michael Termini, Psy. D. How can schools plan for and provide academic programming for students with special learning needs? This resource presents the principles of inclusive education addressing curriculum, assessment, professional development, leadership and governance at three levels of support for students: Informal, Developing and Responsive. Also featured are Catholic high school programs at different levels of inclusion and discussion questions for school faculty and collegiate classroom use. 2010.

Ethics and the Law: A Teacher’s Guide to Decision Making, 2nd ed. By Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN, J.D., Ph.D.  Find the answers to the tough legal questions teachers and administrators encounter daily.  This second edition breaks down school law for lay people and offers exercises that are well-suited for staff development. 2010. pp60.

A Complete Guide to Establishing a One-to-One Laptop Program By W. Joy Lopez, Ed.D. et al. This book provides educators with a model to use when integrating digital technology into their school’s curriculum. It outlines the benefits of implementing a one-to-one laptop program and other instructional technology programs. This comprehensive guide will help schools launch a program or maintain a program already in place. 2009. 120pp.

Selected Legal Issues in CatholicSchools, Second Edition By Sr. Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN, J.D., Ph.D. This second edition examines several legal issues that pertain to Catholic schools, paying close attention to current technologies and the implications of cyberspace, and new concerns in the 21st century, including issues ofabuse and harassment. Each chapter includes discussion questions and scenarios that may be used for professional development or that could spark conversation among staff and parents. 2009. 92pp

Whatsoever You Do: Helping Students Think Deeply About Service Experiences Edited by Martin Connell, S.J. and Christiane Connors The book addresses foundational and practical challenges of Christian service programs through essays by practitioners who have demonstrated skill in the field. It considers specific principles to be taught to students, strategies to point out these principles, and steps to turn service into a transformative learning experience. 2009. 140pp.

Annual Fund Model at Catholic Schools: Ways to Increase Effectiveness
By Mimi Bishop
Nearly every independent school needs an annual fund program to raise operating revenue that tuition alone does not cover. Author Mimi Bishop, Director of Annual Giving at the Ursuline Academy of Dallas, details strategies to help Catholic schools of all types exceed annual fundraising goals. The methodology follows the natural life cycle of an annual giving program and highlights promising practices, expert tips and low-cost ideas that Catholic schools can incorporate to establish and
sustain successful annual giving programs. 2010. 86pp.

Available to download for free here!

Executive Summary and Full Report of Dollars and Sense, 2008-2009 By NCEA and CARA A report on U.S. Catholic high schools’ finances, governance, administrative structures and advancement practices based on the Dollars & Sense survey conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) and the NCEA. The Executive Summary provides a glimpse into American Catholic secondary education and operates on the premise that a viable future for Catholic secondary schools relies on understanding the trends evident in the data. The full report is also available for purchase.

Effective Athletic Administration for Catholic Schools and Parishes By Fr. Richard J. McGrath, OSA, Ph.D. This new publication provides guidelines for creating, directing, growing, and evaluating athletic programs in accordance with Gospel values. Its comprehensive and ready-to-use evaluation forms, lists of questions to consider when selecting athletic leadership, and suggestions for initiating discussion about goals, jobs, facilities and funding will help turn any sports program from good to great. 2009. 48pp. Download the evaluations for free here. 2009. 20pp.

Justice, Care and Diversity: Addressing the Needs of All Students in Catholic Secondary Schools Edited by Edmundo F. Litton, Ed.D. and Shane P. Martin, Ph.D. This publication includes a collection of essays that speak to the importance of effectively addressing diversity among Catholic school students and their communities. The essays reflect the mission of the LEAD Center (Leadership for Equity, Advocacy and Diversity) at Loyola Marymount University to support Catholic high schools with research-based analysis, resources and counsel in dealing with issues of diversity. Discussion questions for faculty development are also included. 2009. 30pp. and 180pp. on CD.

2008-2009 Publications

The Care Team Approach
By Mary Fitzgibbons, PhD., Michael Mahon, and Amy Maus

Today’s societal and familial issues affect the classroom in profound ways and increasingly, educators are called to respond.  This book delivers pragmatic and workable solutions to the myriad challenges that schools encounter.  Care Teams are school-based groups composed of administrators, teachers and support staff who collaborate in finding solutions to problems at-risk students and/or families might encounter.  Written by psychologists specializing in school consultation services, this book offers systematic instruction on effectively addressing students’ social-emotional needs.  Member price $33 (purchase)

Building Community through School Success Teams
By Mary McCullough, PhD., Victoria Graf, Ph.D., and others

One reviewer called it “a must have book for all Catholic school administrators,” while another described it as “the missing piece” for schools striving to meet students’ needs in a Catholic tradition.  This book, designed particularly for Catholic schools, guides educators interested in developing teams of professionals who can explore options and suggest strategies for teachers and students experiencing classroom or learning challenges.  Member price $27 (purchase)

Engaging Faith in the World: Exploring Catholic Social Teaching and Global Solidarity
By Sr. Katherine Feely, SND

The result of extensive research, consultation with participants in the Frontiers of Justice program, and inquiry into the meaning of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), this resource provides religious educators and instructors in other disciplines with a strong framework to analyze CST in the high school classroom. Perhaps the most thorough resource the Department has ever published on CST, this resource frames current CST instruction in high schools alongside an interdisciplinary pedagogy for global solidarity.  Additionally, numerous lesson plans and suggested activities developed by former Frontiers of Justice participants are included to make this resource useful for educators and administrators alike.  Member price $20 (purchase)  (More information)

Creating a Successful Auction: Maximizing Revenue and Building Relationships
By Katie Thiemann

This how-to guide provides detailed instructions on hosting a financially successful and spirit-building dinner and live auction at a Catholic school, both elementary and secondary.  Author and fund-raising practitioner Katie Thiemann shares her experience at improving donor relations, auction packages, and net revenue and demonstrates innovative ways of maximizing revenue at the tried and true school auction.  Member price $15 (purchase)

Dollars and Sense 2009 Catholic High Schools and their Finances: Executive Summary
By Christiane Connors and Mary Frances Taymans, SND, Ed.D.

The Secondary Schools Department administers the Dollars and Sense survey to create a national portrait of the financial status of Catholic high schools. The Center for Applied research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University conducted the survey on the Secondary Schools Department's behalf, which builds on previous studies. The report illustrates the challenges schools face while offering encouraging news about the creative ways schools address those challenges.  The full report is also available for purchase. (purchase)

To purchase these publications, click here or call NCEA’s Member Services Department at
1-800-711-NCEA [6232]

2000 to 2006 Publications

Validating the Vision
By Sister Mary Frances Taymans, SND, EdD

Validating the Vision provides the basis for school assessment in the context of the school's mission and strategic planning. Schools reviewing their foundation documents including mission and philosophy; undertaking self-study or accreditation; and connecting these with planning will find in this protocol both the content and the process to guide their efforts. Resting on the assumption that the Catholic character of the school is inherent in all aspects of climate, culture, programs, and services, the protocol embeds assessment criteria throughout an analysis of the state of the school and the formulation of the strategic plan. (purchase)

Athletics and the Gospel Mission
by Rev. Richard McGrath.

Examines how schools can and should use their athletic programs as vehicles to instill the Gospel values in students. (purchase)

WE: A Model for Coaching and Christian Living
 By Jim Yerkovich and Rev. Patrick Kelly, SJ

WE: A Model for Coaching and Christian Living, provides a practical approach to inspire and positively influence student athletes. Together with an appendix of inspirational quotes, this book illustrates a Catholic approach to coaching.  2003 (purchase)

Business Champions: A Business Partner Model
By John Butler and Vanessa King

Business leaders can be of great value in ensuring experiential learning opportunities and relevant role models when they create opportunities for students to explore different career interests.  2003 (purchase)

Coaching Catholic: Gospel Values in Youth Sports
By Rev. Richard McGrath, OSA, Ph.D.

The intent of this publication is to guide to those who generously sacrifice their time and talent in providing coaching to young people in Catholic parishes, elementary schools, high schools, and CTOs.  2004 (purchase)

Catholic Youth Sports: A Guide for Coaches, Parents...
By Rev. Richard J. McGrath, OSA, Ph.D. and edited by Donald Urbancic, Ph.D.

This short handbook is for any adult interested in youth sports. Fr. McGrath offers guidance to parents, coaches and others about how to make participating in athletics life giving and formative for young people. He also connects sports to spiritual growth. Bulk rates are available, so that parishes and schools could purchase a copy for every parent and adult involved in a sports program. Call for details. 2006 (purchase)

Connecting on Campus: Designing and Sustaining Effective High School Campus Ministry
By Dennis Wermert SC. The Implementation of Pastoral Life Programs in the Catholic Secondary School. 2004 (purchase)

Literacy in the Content Areas
By Dr. Candace C. Poindexter Ed.D.

This reference provides a wealth of precision tools for content-area teachers. The concise format succeeds in offering easy access to an array of strategies teachers can customize for any History, Science. 2004 (purchase)

An Introduction to Catholic Ethics
By Rev. Lucien J. Longtin, SJ, and Andrew Peach, Ph.D.
An Introduction to Catholic Ethics introduces students to the fundamentals of Catholic moral theology. By presenting testimony from the lives of great Christians and many of the key concepts. 2006 5th printing. (purchase)

Mission Possible
By James DiGiacomo, SJ.

A valuable resource for leading high school students through their adolescent faith journey. "Good history, anecdotal or otherwise, not only enlightens us about the past but also points the way to the future.  2004 (purchase)

Journey to Justice
By Connie Fourre.
Journey to Justice is a superb resource for educators who want to make Catholic identity and Catholic social thought an integral part of their teaching. Written from a practitioner's perspective. 2004 2nd printing (purchase)

Sharing the Faith: A Faith Development Program for Faculty and Staff
By Secondary Schools Department

Sharing the Faith is a faculty faith development program for Catholic elementary and secondary schools. The program, based on the conviction that the mission of Catholic schools is expressed in the lives of the faculty, addresses the need for an adult-based, professional in-service that balances personal reflection with community building. It is a proven means of blending theological information, personal reflection and school mission and it is currently on sale. [More information] (purchase)

Equity, Advocacy and Diversity
By Dr. Shane Martin and Dr. Edmundo Litton.

This publication offers Catholic school communities a compelling challenge to embrace the many types of diversity that are present in our schools and to advocate for equity for all. 2004. (purchase)