Catholic Education Research Initiative
Catholic Education Research Initiative
Catholic schools combine high-quality instruction and faith formation with a formative education, going beyond subject-matter learning to foster character development in children and develop ethical citizens.
In recent decades, however, Catholic schools have faced substantial challenges, including the transition to a lay teaching force, budget pressures, shrinking enrollment, and the closure of many schools. In order to enrich the lives of their students, Catholic schools need additional resources and improved governance models in addition to high-quality educators and leaders who can recruit, retain, and deliver services to an increasingly diverse student population.
At Boston College’s Lynch School, we strive to contribute to the rejuvenation of Catholic schooling. Our faculty conduct high-quality research, educate excellent teachers and school leaders, and partner with educational and organizational networks. Our Catholic Education Research Initiative focuses on finding problem-based solutions to the challenges that educators in Catholic schools face.
Our goal is to conduct rigorous research in Catholic schools to better understand the impact and effectiveness on students and educators. We are building a network across Boston College to coordinate efforts across schools and departments, build on strengths and expertise, and connect Catholic education experts throughout campus.
The Catholic Education Research Initiative offers a year-long fellowship to build a network for Catholic Ed leadership and coordinate efforts across departments and communities in Boston College and beyond. We are actively recruiting students to join our team and work together in various research efforts.
Research opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- Understanding the Catholic Educator Pipeline
- Studying commonalities and differences between charter and Catholic schools
- Comparing funding flow and budgets in public and Catholic schools
- Examining the Catholic school student populations
- Examining the impact of a whole person education on children’s development
Boston College is home to many centers, institutes, and programs focused on Catholic education, including:
Contact Us
Director, Catholic Education Research Initiative
Professor, Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics and Assessment