Entries by Dr. Denise Donohue Ed.D.

The Bishop’s Role in Discerning Catholic Identity

A bishop’s oversight of Catholic education within his diocese—including schools, home schools, and colleges—is indispensable. His support and encouragement are also invaluable. That’s the experience of President Stephen Minnis, who has led an exciting renewal of faithful education and formation over the last two decades at Benedictine College in Atchison, […]

Checklist for Evaluating Sexuality Programs in Catholic Education

Everything in a Catholic educational institution must serve its mission of seeking and teaching truth, the sanctification of its students, and service to society. The primary means of advancing this mission is the academic program, which has pride of place and first claim to resources in the life of the institution. The delivery of the academic program takes place within a rich Catholic environment and is inspired by a Catholic worldview. However, co-curricular and extracurricular programs also are important to students’ formation and also must take place within this same rich Catholic environment and worldview. This is particularly true of sports which, in Catholic educational institutions, are an effective means to provide for the well-being of man and to give glory and praise to the Creator.[1]

The Rise of Independent Catholic Education

Independent Catholic education[1]—Catholic, because its schools are committed to Catholic fidelity and formation, yet independent, because they are not owned by a Catholic religious order or diocese—has scarcely caught the attention and admiration of the Church it serves. But for those Catholic families who have benefitted from it, this growing […]

The Core of a Catholic Curriculum

As the lead evaluator of institutions applying for Newman Guide recognition, I often get asked what makes a “Newman Guide” academic program. I want to highlight here some of the most important aspects, drawing from our resources on the K-12 school with principles relevant to all levels of education. Traditionally, […]

The Call to Lead: Church Guidance for Catholic Educational Leaders

The Call to Lead Church Guidance for Catholic Educational Leaders Denise L. Donohue, Ed.D., and Daniel P. Guernsey, Ed.D.   About The Call to Lead The original version of The Call to Lead was co-written in 2018 by Dr. Denise Donohue, vice president for educator resources and evaluation at The […]

Guide for the Catholic Reader: Selected Reading List, Rubric, and Rationale for Catholic Education

      Guide for the Catholic Reader Selected Reading List, Rubric, and Rationale for Catholic Education Denise L. Donohue, Ed.D., and Daniel P. Guernsey, Ed.D.    Preface This guide is designed especially for Catholic education broadly—including parents, diocesan and school leaders, teachers, librarians, homeschool curriculum publishers, and textbook publishers—and […]