What is Project PCSS?

Modeled after the efforts of Dr.

Lorraine Ozar and Dr. Michael Boyle
of the Center for Catholic School
Effectiveness in Loyola University,
Chicago; the CEAP through the
Superintendents Commission and
National Basic Education Commission
will develop defining characteristics,
benchmarks, and standards for
Catholic basic education schools in
the country.
 The major goal is to..
..make Catholic schools in the
Philippines distinguished by defining
characteristics, guided by standards and
operated through a corresponding set
of benchmarks and rubrics.
The NCEA project was led
by Dr. Lorraine Ozar of the
Center for Catholic School
Effectiveness of the Loyola
University in Chicago.
Dr. Ozar is the consultant
of the Technical Working
Group (TWG) convened for
this project.
Why National Standards for
Catholic Schools?
The need to clarify the brand of Catholic
schools
The need for a framework for public policy
and advocacy efforts on behalf of Catholic
schools
The need to increase funders confidence in
the capacity of Catholic schools for
sustainable improvement
Why National Standards for
Catholic Schools?
The need for universal characteristics and
criteria that could serve as a basis for
Catholic school accreditation
The need to provide a link to Catholic Higher
Education professional development and
leadership programs
DEAR COLLEAGUES,
Loyola University Chicago, the School of Education, and the Center for Catholic
School Effectiveness are pleased to offer this printed version of National Standards
and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools to all
those interested in securing a strong future for Catholic elementary and secondary
schools for generations to come.
This landmark document is the result of two years of broad collaboration among Catholic educators across the
nation. Leaders and scholars in Catholic institutions of higher education, superintendents, principals, bishops,
congregational sponsors, pastors, National Catholic Educational Association directors and executive committee
members, and Catholic school supporters, have all contributed, sharing their collective wisdom, expertise,
experience, and passion.
The publication of these effectiveness standards gives the entire Catholic community a common framework of
universal characteristics of Catholic identity and agreed upon criteria for Catholic school excellence. With this
framework, we can and must hold ourselves accountable for the excellence and rigor, faith and nurturance
that have been the hallmark of Catholic education, and which we must now guarantee for future generations.
Sincerely,
LORRAINE A. OZAR, PHD
Director, Center for Catholic School Effectiveness
School of Education, Loyola University Chicago
The National Standards and Benchmarks
for Effective Catholic Elementary and
Secondary Schools are offered as school
effectiveness standards rather than
curriculum content standards.
Defining Characteristics
The Defining Characteristics flow directly from the
Holy Sees teaching on Catholic schools as compiled
by Archbishop J.Michael Miller, CSB (The Holy Sees
Teaching on Catholic Schools, 2006), and from
statements by Pope Benedict XVI and the American
bishops. The characteristics define the deep
Catholic identity of Catholic schools and serve as
the platform on which the standards and
benchmarks rest. The defining characteristics
authenticate the standards and benchmarks,
justifying their existence and providing their
meaning.
The Standards
The Standards describe policies, programs,
structures, and processes that should be present in
mission-driven, program effective, well-managed,
and responsibly governed Catholic schools that
operate in concert with the defining characteristics.
The standards address four domains: Mission and
Catholic Identity, Governance and Leadership,
Academic Excellence, and Operational Vitality.
The Benchmarks
The Benchmarks provide observable, measurable
descriptors for each standard. Benchmarks provide a
solid basis for future development of more detailed
self-assessment and diagnostic instruments, data
collection and reporting structures, and accreditation
tools, as appropriate at the local, diocesan, regional,
and national levels.
PERMISSION TO USE
The National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective
Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools 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 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.
Copies available for download at the Catholic School
Standards Project. Visit www.catholicschoolstandards.org.
CEAP and Phoenix launched
Project PCSS last 11 June 2013
Members of the PCSS Steering Committee, Phoenix Educational Foundation,
Technical Working Group, superintendents and members of the CEAP NBEC with
Abp. Villegas and Abp. Paciano Aniceto after the PCSS launch.
 The PCCS Project
was launched
on June 11, 2013
with Archbishop
Socrates Villegas,
the chairperson of
the Episcopal
Commission on
Catechesis and
Catholic Education,
in attendance.
Project Management Structure
Steering
Committee
Technical
Working Group
Consultants
Proposed Timeline: 2013
April
April 2 - Initial Meeting of CEAP National, SupCom,
PPHI Foundation with Lorraine Ozar and Michael
Boyle in Houston, USA.
April 27 - Organizational Meeting of the Steering
Committee, SupCom Execom, and the Technical
Working Group (TWG)
May
TWG Meeting and Planning for the June 24-28
Chicago Training and Workshop
2013 2014
Proposed Timeline: 2013
June
June 11, 2013
PPH Foundation Hall - MOA Signing / Launching /
Commissioning
June 24-28: TWG Training and Workshop at Loyola
University Chicago
July August
Presentation of the Project to CBCP-ECCCE and
distribution and collection of survey questions to bishops
during their mid-year assembly c/o the Steering
Committee.
2013 2014
Proposed Timeline: 2013
September
Presentation of the project during the SupCom
Annual Assembly and CEAP Annual
Membership Meeting during the 2013 CEAP
National Convention
2013 2014
Proposed Timeline: 2014
January
Presentation of the Defining Characteristics to
the CBCP and AMRSP.
February
Presentation of updates on the project during
the Supcom Mid-year Assembly.
March-June
Drafting of the Standards and Benchmarks
including consultations with identified
consultants
2013 2014
Proposed Timeline: 2014
June August
Presentation of the Standards and Benchmarks
to CBCP and AMRSP.
Simultaneous Regional Validation Workshops
during the 2014 CEAP Regional Assemblies
September 2014
Presentation of the Standards and Benchmarks
during the 2014 CEAP National Convention.
2013 2014
 CONTACT US
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