About the Standards
The National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools (NSBECS) were published in 2012 to serve as both a guide and assessment tool for PK-12 Catholic school effectiveness and sustainability. They include research-based school effectiveness criteria, as well as criteria unique to Catholic school mission and identity. The NSBECS rests on the conviction that adhering to these standards and benchmarks with fidelity will result in highly effective Catholic schools.
The NSBECS may be used for purposes consistent with the support and improvement of Catholic education. It may not be sold for profit by any person or institution. The content contained herein may not be altered, edited or amended. Any reproduction or use must include acknowledgement of the Center for Catholic School Effectiveness, School of Education, Loyola University Chicago. In partnership with the Barbara and Patrick Roche Center for Catholic Education, Lynch School of Education, Boston College.
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Tools and Resources
This website serves as a platform for providing, exchanging, and creating knowledge and information related to the NSBECS and to other projects and initiatives that grow out of implementing these standards and benchmarks.
Assessment Tools assist Catholic educators in gauging and assessing school quality and performance based on the NSBECS. Resources offer additional guidelines, video tutorials, and more to support implementation of the NSBECS. Applications provide links to wide-ranging field-based implementation programs and initiatives. In Impact, Catholic school practitioners and researchers describe the results of implementing the NSBECS for accreditation, planning, guidelines, accountability, and more.
Catholic educators at all levels are invited to share their additional applications and impact based on implementation of the NSBECS. Further information is forthcoming from NCEA NSBECS Council (NNC).