Urban Catholic Education: The Best of Times, the Worst of Times is a sequel to a 2010 work with the similar title, Urban Catholic Education: Tales of Twelve American Cities. Together, these works explore the historical contours of the Catholic parochial school movement in America's divergent urban centers from colonial times to the present. The first volume covers the years of growth and expansion up to 1970 and the second volume continues the story and discusses the years of decline and retrenchment over the past forty years.
In this second volume, ten scholars - many affiliated with Catholic schools and universities - address the recent history of parish schools in as many cities across the country. Not only do the essays address common themes, they also articulate the elements that make Catholic education distinctive in each city. The book is a valuable touchstone for Catholic educators and scholars who work in and for a national Catholic educational establishment; that establishment includes 238 colleges and universities and several thousand Catholic high schools among other institutions.
In this second volume, ten scholars - many affiliated with Catholic schools and universities - address the recent history of parish schools in as many cities across the country. Not only do the essays address common themes, they also articulate the elements that make Catholic education distinctive in each city. The book is a valuable touchstone for Catholic educators and scholars who work in and for a national Catholic educational establishment; that establishment includes 238 colleges and universities and several thousand Catholic high schools among other institutions.
«Urban Catholic Education: The Best of Times, The Worst of Times is an engaging and encouraging text. It challenges some current assumptions about Catholic education by telling the real stories of inner city schools and placing them in their historical and present day context. These are stories of new vitality, determination, tenacity and innovation. In some cases, the stories are of schools redefined yet still and always focused on the essentials of extending the faith the next generation and preparing young people for productive lives.» (Karen Ristau)
«A tour de force, Urban Catholic Education: The Best of Times, The Worst of Times chronicles the story of the Catholic schools in the urban areas of ten archdioceses since 1960. Distinguished historians of Catholic education, professors and other Catholic educators document the similar challenges that Catholic schools in different parts of the country have encountered during the past half century of school closings and enrollment decline. The book is a must-read for bishops, superintendents and all interested in supporting Catholic schools, and a valuable addition to any library.» (John J. Convey, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Professor of Education, The Catholic University of America)
«With a keen eye for detail and a spot-on analysis of the many challenges facing Catholic schools today, this volume deftly chronicles recent trends in major U.S. cities concerning enrollment, financing, governance, and broad political and ecclesial developments currently shaping the American educational landscape. The authors and editors are honest and unsparing; hence, this is not always a happy book but it is a helpful one. Educational leaders, parents, policy makers, and all those concerned for the future of Catholic schooling would benefit from entering into the ebb and flow of the stories of faith found in these select cities.» (Rev. Ronald J. Nuzzi, Senior Director, The Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program, Alliance for Catholic Education, The University of Notre Dame)
«A tour de force, Urban Catholic Education: The Best of Times, The Worst of Times chronicles the story of the Catholic schools in the urban areas of ten archdioceses since 1960. Distinguished historians of Catholic education, professors and other Catholic educators document the similar challenges that Catholic schools in different parts of the country have encountered during the past half century of school closings and enrollment decline. The book is a must-read for bishops, superintendents and all interested in supporting Catholic schools, and a valuable addition to any library.» (John J. Convey, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Professor of Education, The Catholic University of America)
«With a keen eye for detail and a spot-on analysis of the many challenges facing Catholic schools today, this volume deftly chronicles recent trends in major U.S. cities concerning enrollment, financing, governance, and broad political and ecclesial developments currently shaping the American educational landscape. The authors and editors are honest and unsparing; hence, this is not always a happy book but it is a helpful one. Educational leaders, parents, policy makers, and all those concerned for the future of Catholic schooling would benefit from entering into the ebb and flow of the stories of faith found in these select cities.» (Rev. Ronald J. Nuzzi, Senior Director, The Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program, Alliance for Catholic Education, The University of Notre Dame)