Beyond Test Scores: Measuring the Contributions of Catholic Schools and Universities

Catholic schools aim to educate the whole person. Beyond strong academics, they aim to educate towards fraternal humanism. Do we have evidence that they succeed? Do students in Catholic and more generally religious schools do better than those in other schools on a wide range of metrics related to their well-being and experience in school? Are they less engaged in risky behaviors? Is violence in Catholic and other religious schools lower than in public schools? Do we see differences in self-discipline between students in Catholic and other schools? Does attending Catholic schools influence patterns of family formation later in life? And do parents sending children to Catholic schools and other religious schools have different priorities for what children should learn in school than parents relying on other types of schools? Based on a forthcoming report for the United States to be released on January 14, 2021 at Global Catholic Education, this webinar will explore these questions and their implications for the Catholic identity of the schools. After a presentation summarizing findings from the research, panelists will share their views on how Catholic schools could rely on these and other findings to improve the education they provide "beyond test scores".

This event is part of the G.R.A.C.E. monthly webinar series and is organized jointly by CREDO, GRACE, IFCU, Lumen Christi Institute, NCEA, and OIEC.

Presentation: Quentin Wodon, International Office of Catholic Education

Discussants:

Kathy Mears, Interim CEO, National Catholic Education Association

Andrew Miller, Assistant Professor, Boston College

Timothy Uhl, Superintendent, Catholic Schools for Montana