The Impact of Catholic School Identity and Organizational Leadership on the Vitality of Catholic Elementary Schools

Marian Hobbie,Merylann Schuttloffel,John Convey

doi:10.15365/joce.1401022013

Abstract

In order to fulfill their role of teaching children to receive Jesus and live out his call to create the Kingdom of God on earth and in heaven, Catholic schools need to possess and foster the distinctive characteristics of Catholic school identity. This study examined the relationship between Catholic school identity and organizational leadership and the extent to which these predict aspects of school vitality in Catholic elementary schools. The results of the analyses point to the signifi cant predictive relationship of Catholic school identity on each subscale of school vitality and at least one subscale of organizational leadership on three of the four subscales of school vitality. In addition, years of teaching in Catholic schools and percent of Catholic students are signifi cant predictors of Catholic school identity.

Highlights

ObjectivesThe purpose of this research is to (1) examine the relationship between Catholic school identity and the organizational leadership of a Catholic elementary school and (2) determine the extent to which Catholic school identity and the school’s organizational leadership predict aspects of school vitality
The researchers decided that data from four schools with less than three teacher responses were not included in the school analysis
Teachers who perceive that their schools had strong Catholic school identity and a principal who safeguards the school’s mission, supports the teachers, obtains needed resources, and seeks information saw their schools as having a high level of vitality as measured by the teachers’ positive relationships, the students’ cooperation in learning, potential to recover from the unforeseen, and the teachers’ ability to function effectively

Summary

Objectives

The purpose of this research is to (1) examine the relationship between Catholic school identity and the organizational leadership of a Catholic elementary school and (2) determine the extent to which Catholic school identity and the school’s organizational leadership predict aspects of school vitality

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion