Loyola University Chicago (LUC) established the Center for Catholic School Effectiveness (CCSE) in the School of Education (SOE) to respond to the need that elementary and secondary Catholic schools have for high quality, research-based professional development in the context of Catholic identity and mission.  With operating grants from LUC and SOE, the Center opened in 2003 and immediately began working with schools and dioceses to design and deliver professional development in the areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and instructional leadership.  In its first four years of operation (2003-2007), CCSE has worked with over 400 schools, in over 85 dioceses and Australia, serving over 5,000 teachers - confirming the need for which it was founded.

The development of online resources, research projects, and publications will expand Center services further.   Beginning with the September, 2007 issue of NCEA Notes, CCSE will publish SOS - Sustaining Outstanding Schools - a professional development series focused on effective teaching strategies that can be used for study and implementation by local Catholic schools.  SOS written articles will be supported by PDF handouts and a web cast, available on the CCSE web site.

CCSE is growing an endowment to make program offerings available and affordable for the long-term to any Catholic school that seeks them.  We are grateful to our lead supporters including Loyola University Chicago, the Arthur Foundation, and the Mazza Foundation.

• Meet the CCSE Team