Catholic Standards & Benchmarks

The Office of Catholic Schools, along with the seventeen schools that it serves, endeavor to meet the National Catholic Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary Schools (NSBECS) in all aspects.

The NSBECS are a set of effectiveness standards that were collaboratively developed by NCEA; Loyola University Chicago, School of Education, Center for Catholic School Effectiveness; and Boston College, Lynch School of Education, Barbara and Patrick Roche Center for Catholic Education.

From the "INTRODUCTION" to the NSBECS:

This document contains three types of statements grounded in Church teachings, best practice, and proven success of those committed to the future of Catholic elementary and secondary education in the United States.

The Defining Characteristics flow directly from the Holy See’s teaching on Catholic schools as compiled by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB (The Holy See’s 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 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 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.

Source:  "Introduction" p. VI, Ozar, L. A., & Weitzel-O’Neill, P. (Eds.). (2012). National standards and benchmarks for effective Catholic elementary and secondary schools. Chicago, IL: Loyola University Chicago, Center for Catholic School Effectiveness.