diocese of san diego strategic vision recommendations
TRANSCRIPT
September 1, 2014
Dear Friends of Catholic Schools,
It is always with great excitement that we open the doors to another school year. It is a time
when all things are made new. What remains the same is our mission. �e work of Catholic
schools is ultimately a matter of maintaining the Church’s mission of building Christ’s Kingdom
of justice, love and peace, while continuing relevant, real-world instructional excellence in
meeting the needs of a 21st-century world that is ever-changing. Catholic schools in San Diego
have always embraced the challenge.
In the summer of 2013, Bishop Flores commissioned a special Strategic Vision Committee to
study the organizational structures, policies and �nancial stability of our Catholic elementary
schools. �e committee partnered with the University of San Diego to provide a thorough
study of the current state of the schools within our diocese. Surveys and interviews with various
stakeholders, including many of you, ensured an opportunity for your voice to be heard, for
your experiences to make a di�erence, and for your perspectives to be a part of the plan to
strengthen our schools. �ank you to all who participated.
�e �ndings and recommendations of this study are provided in this supplemental insert to
�e Southern Cross. While the value added to Catholic education should never change, I invite
you to join me in celebrating a newly articulated roadmap to success vetted by you, the People
of Christ in San Diego. May God bless our children in mind, body and spiritual growth. I look forward to continuing
our work together in building a new vision for strengthening our Catholic schools in the
Diocese of San Diego.
In Mission,
John GalvanDirector, Diocesan O�ce for Schools
DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO
Office of Schools
We are grateful for the leadership of our faithfully departed Bishop Cirilo Flores and his commitment to strengthening Catholic schools in the Diocese of San Diego.
John Galvan
STRATEGIC VISION STATEMENT
COMMISSIONED BY BISHOP CIRILO FLORES
Evangelizing children and their families is one of the most vital ministries of our Church. Catholic schools in the United States have performed this function with excellence for over a century. The role our Catholic schools play in educating and forming the faith of our children continues to be valuable. Children in our Church today will fill the most important roles in leadership and ministry tomorrow as the Church continues its outreach to the world. For these reasons, Catholic schools must be places where children are nurtured in all aspects of mind, body and spiritual growth. Our Catholic schools must be accessible to children of all families no matter their race, culture or economic condition. To that end, and embracing the Church’s “preferential option for the poor”, all Catholics and Parishes, regardless of whether a local Parish has a school, are responsible for the health and growth of this important ministry of our Church.
What is Happening IN OURCatholic Schools?Faced with declining enrollment and the closure of Catholic schools throughout the Diocese, Bishop Cirilo Flores commissioned the Strategic Vision Committee for Catholic Elementary Schools in the summer of 2013. The Committee was tasked with developing a better understanding of the growing issues and challenges faced by local Catholic schools, including the steady decline of school enrollment and the closure of three local Catholic K-8 schools. The nine month study centered on providing a voice to Diocesan stakeholders and focused on reviewing the literature on national trends in Catholic schools. Findings of the study are illustrated on the following pages.
RESEARCH INCLUDED a review of literature on Catholic schools and conducting online surveys and interviews with over 2,000 stakeholders
PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED 1,500+ parents/grandparents/patrons; 57% of pastors; 88% of principals; and 30% teachers
The overarching theme is the lack of a cohesive collective of Catholic schools working in collaboration to educate children in our Diocese.
PURPOSE OF STUDY • Understand national trends in
Catholic school education• Understand the current state of
Catholic schools in the Diocese• Understanding of supports and
challenges to Catholic schools• Understand future sustainability
needs and changes
Diocese of San Diego
STRENGTHENING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO
COMMUNICATE this research process to all stakeholders
COMPETITION BETWEEN SCHOOLSexceeds the collaboration between schools
Solidify the MISSION AND VISION for the future of Catholic schools
QUALITYLEADERSHIP
is integral tothe success of
individualschools and the
school system
LIMITED PARTNERSHIPbetween diocesan schools andthe University of San Diego
LACK OF DIOCESAN-WIDEschool processes, systems, programs and protocols
DECLINING ENROLLMENTis a major challenge
based on a series of socioeconomic factors
PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE the value of teachers, admimistrators, pastors and volunteers
INCREASE PROGRAM OFFERINGS for students and families
STRUGGLES WITHFINANCIAL STABILITYnegatively impactsindividual schoolshealth and success
Provide effective PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for teachers and administrators
CONTINUE TO RESEARCH, collect data, and make evidence-
based decisions
BUILD STRONG PARTNERSHIPS with BOTH
Catholic universities
in San Diego
SUPPORT TEACHERS with a salary
schedule and reduced tuition rates for their kids
Develop a diocese-wide mandatory FINANCIALSUPPORT system for schools
Effectively address schools in LOW RESOURCE AREAS that are near closure
Implement a diocese-wide MARKETING CAMPAIGN
for Catholic education
Centralize suppliesand resources to
CUT OPERATING COSTS
ADDRESSTUITIONISSUES
by settingdiocese-wideprotocols for
rates/increases
Families seek a school ENVIRONMENT OF HIGH
QUALITY ACADEMICS infused in the faith
FINDINGS RECOMMENDATIONS
Limited professional DEVELOPMENT ANDCOLLABORATION for teachers and administrators
• Develop a FUNDING FOUNDATION to financially support schools and families in need• CREATE A CENTER in the foundation to provide development and support to schools• REORGANIZE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE from a parochial system to networks of schools• Make SIGNIFICANT CHANGES to the ROLE and AUTHORITY of the Office for Schools
COMMUNICATE this research process to all stakeholders
COMPETITION BETWEEN SCHOOLSexceeds the collaboration between schools
Solidify the MISSION AND VISION for the future of Catholic schools
QUALITYLEADERSHIP
is integral tothe success of
individualschools and the
school system
LIMITED PARTNERSHIPbetween diocesan schools andthe University of San Diego
LACK OF DIOCESAN-WIDEschool processes, systems, programs and protocols
DECLINING ENROLLMENTis a major challenge
based on a series of socioeconomic factors
PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE the value of teachers, admimistrators, pastors and volunteers
INCREASE PROGRAM OFFERINGS for students and families
STRUGGLES WITHFINANCIAL STABILITYnegatively impactsindividual schoolshealth and success
Provide effective PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for teachers and administrators
CONTINUE TO RESEARCH, collect data, and make evidence-
based decisions
BUILD STRONG PARTNERSHIPS with BOTH
Catholic universities
in San Diego
SUPPORT TEACHERS with a salary
schedule and reduced tuition rates for their kids
Develop a diocese-wide mandatory FINANCIALSUPPORT system for schools
Effectively address schools in LOW RESOURCE AREAS that are near closure
Implement a diocese-wide MARKETING CAMPAIGN
for Catholic education
Centralize suppliesand resources to
CUT OPERATING COSTS
ADDRESSTUITIONISSUES
by settingdiocese-wideprotocols for
rates/increases
Families seek a school ENVIRONMENT OF HIGH
QUALITY ACADEMICS infused in the faith
FINDINGS RECOMMENDATIONS
Limited professional DEVELOPMENT ANDCOLLABORATION for teachers and administrators
• Develop a FUNDING FOUNDATION to financially support schools and families in need• CREATE A CENTER in the foundation to provide development and support to schools• REORGANIZE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE from a parochial system to networks of schools• Make SIGNIFICANT CHANGES to the ROLE and AUTHORITY of the Office for Schools
DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO
About the Research: The study was made possible thanks to the generosity of Terry and Barbara Caster. The research was lead by Research Associate Dr. John J. Franey and conducted by the Center for Education Policy and Law (CEPAL), a research entity operating under the aus-pices of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences and the School of Law at the University of San Diego. CEPAL’s mission is to foster better linkage between educational research, policymaking, and practice. To this end, CEPAL undertakes empirical and legal research on educational policy issues, enhances communication between education leaders and state-level policymakers, and facilitates understanding among USD law students and education graduate students about the policymaking process through courses, internships, and research op-portunities. Additional information about CEPAL is available at www.sandiego.edu/cepal.
93%
Who Had What to Say?
Satisfied with overallCatholic school experience
PARENTS WITH CHILDRENCURRENTLY ATTENDING
OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
PARENTS WITH CHILDRENWHO USED TO ATTEND
OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
86%
Were happy with theCatholic school experience 50%
Child attends parishreligious ed programs 43%
Open to the possibility of returning 26%
Satisfied with the qualityof the Catholic teachings 84%
Effectively developingmy child’s Catholic identity 83%
Satisfied with the qualityof the academics
Average AnnualCost per Pupil for
K-8 Schools
81%
93%$5,008
Average K-8’s Operational Cost Increase per Pupil
Over the Last Decade
52%Million Average
Operational Cost perK-8 School
K-8’s that Experienceda Decline in Enrollment
Over the Last Decade
$1.3 72%
COST OF ATTENDANCE
STAKEHOLDERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR RESEARCHCITED A REASON NOT TO SEND KIDS TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL IS...
Diocese of San Diego
The following displays were developed from our survey responses. The size of word represents the response frequency. For example, larger words mean higher response from participants.
A Road Map to Success
What ShouldNEVER CHANGE
about Catholic schools in our Diocese
Reasons Why ParentsSEND THEIR KIDSto Catholic schools in our Diocese
STRENGTHENING
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN SAN DIEGO
Progress Report based on Recommendations
What we are doing...
What's in progress...
Communicate this entire research process to all stakeholders
An executive summary is made available at www.diocese-sdiego.org/usdresearch and has been distributed
to our stakeholders via this issue of The Southern Cross newspaper.
Solidify the mission and vision for the future of Catholic schools
Please see our the strategic vision statement on page two.
Effectively address schools in low-resource areas that are on t
he precipice of closure
and provide effective professional development to teachers and administrators
The diocese has partnered with the CSJ Educational Network, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, to offer a
peer leadership program to six of our schools in need. The cohort based program will offer support necessary to design and
implement marketing and development strategies to enhance fundraising capabilities.
Build strong partnerships with both Catholic universities in San Diego
The Office for Schools is collaborating with USD’s School of Education and Leadership Sciences to support one of our
elementary schools in need and exploring ways to work with John Paul the Great Catholic University.
Centralize supplies and resources to cut operating costs
The diocesan Offices of Schools, Finance, and Human Resources have established a working group to assist our schools in
need with budget constraints.
Develop a Diocese-wide mandatory financial support system for Catholic schools
The diocese currently provides $400,000 to support schools in need through our Annual Catholic Appeal and is exploring
ways to increase the level of support.
Develop a funding foundation to financially support schools
and families in need
The diocese has created a working group to create the San Diego Catholic Education Foundation.
Implement a Diocese-wide marketing campaign for Catholic education
The Office for Schools is developing a diocesan marketing commission comprised of marketing
professionals and educators to design a plan.
Reorganize the governance of schools from a parochial system to networks of schools
The Office for Schools is developing a diocesan governance commission comprised of educators and industry
experts to explore structures/models for governance.
Make significant changes to the role of the Office for Schools
The new director for the Office for Schools has embarked on a diocesan-wide listening tour,
meeting with all stakeholders to gain more valuable insights. If you feel your voice has not been
heard, please contact him by email at [email protected].
LEARN MOREVisit our website at www.diocese-sdiego.org/usdresearch to download a copy of the
executive summary.
SUPPORT CATHOLIC EDUCATIONInvesting in Catholic education is vital to the future of our
Church. If you would like to support our mission go to www.diocese-sdiego.org/bishopfloresfund or contact Damian J. Esparza, Director, Office for Development at
858-490-8294 or [email protected]