ABSTRACT URBANSKI, CONSTANCE HEFFREN. Identity at a Crossroads: Mapping the Future of Catholic Schools. (Under the direction of Dr. Lance D. Fusarelli and Dr. Kevin P. Brady). Catholic schools, K-12, in the United States were founded with the mission of responding to Catholic immigrant parents' desire for a place where their children's faith could be developed and protected. Today, however, Catholics have integrated fully into American society and no longer seek a place of refuge. Anxious to take their place in society's power structure, they no longer cling to the traditions and schools associated with their faith. Because this population has changed, a disparity exists between the traditional Catholic school mission and the needs of the population whom the schools now serve. This qualitative study is an examination of this disparity, having as its purpose an understanding of the needs of today's Catholic schools' stakeholders and how the mission of Catholic schools can best respond to these needs while maintaining their Catholic identity. This is a comparative case study, with data collected at Catholic high schools located in Southeastern United States. Research was collected through the use of loosely structured interviews with principals, separate focus groups with representative samples of the students and faculty, and an examination of the advertising materials disseminated by the schools.. Results of the study are presented through direct quotes from the participants and reveal that participants view the mission of Catholic schools as serving as a vehicle for success in American society. This presents a dilemma for the schools over whether to accept this as their secularized formal mission, redefining Catholicism as a faith for Americans, not simply as one for immigrants. © Copyright 2011 by Constance Heffren Urbanski All Rights Reserved Identity at a Crossroads: Mapping the Future of Catholic Schools by Constance Heffren Urbanski A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education Educational Administration and Supervision Raleigh, North Carolina 2011 APPROVED BY: ___________________ ____________________ Dr. Lance D. Fusarelli Dr. Kevin P. Brady Committee Co-Chair Committee Co-Chair _____________________ _____________________ Dr. Kenneth H. Brinson Jr. Dr. Paul F. Bitting Committee Member Committee Member ii BIOGRAPHY Constance Heffren Urbanski is currently a principal of a Catholic school within the Diocese of Raleigh. She has a Master's degree in English Education from Wilkes College and a Master's of School Administration from the University of North Carolina. Her goal is to follow the advice of the artist Michelangelo, and always be able to say "I am still learning." iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES.................................................................................................................vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................... 1 Background............................................................................................................................ 1 Statement of the Problem....................................................................................................... 6 Purpose of the Study.............................................................................................................. 12 Research Questions................................................................................................................ 13 Definition of Key Terms........................................................................................................ 14 Principles Embodied in Parochial Schools............................................................................ 15 Significance of the Study....................................................................................................... 16 Summary................................................................................................................................ 18 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................... 22 General Introduction............................................................................................................. 22 History of Catholic Schools and their Mission in the United States...................................... 28 A Changing Population and Identity......................................................................................31 Catholic Education in the Southeast...................................................................................... 32 Catholicism in North Carolina............................................................................................... 35 Using Organizational Theory to Create Change.................................................................... 40 Summary................................................................................................................................ 43 Overview of Chapter Three................................................................................................... 46 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY......................................................................................... 47 General Introduction to the Methodology............................................................................. 47 iv Conceptual Framework.......................................................................................................... 47 Explanation of the Appropriateness of the Approach............................................................ 48 Theoretical Framework.......................................................................................................... 51 Research Questions................................................................................................................ 52 Site Selection and Sample...................................................................................................... 53 Case Study Methodology....................................................................................................... 56 Data Collection...................................................................................................................... 57 Data Analysis......................................................................................................................... 61 Research Validity and Reliability.......................................................................................... 63 Limitations and Assumptions of the Study............................................................................ 65 Subjectivity Statement........................................................................................................... 69 Ethical Considerations/IRB................................................................................................... 70 Summary of Chapter.............................................................................................................. 71 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS OF THE STUDY................................................................. 72 Introduction............................................................................................................................ 72 Study Sample Demographics................................................................................................. 73 Factors Impacting Bishop X's Students' Selection of Catholic High School......................... 83 The School's Mission as Seen by Students of Bishop X........................................................ 86 Factors Impacting Teachers' Selection of Bishop X High School......................................... 87 The Principal's View of Bishop X......................................................................................... 90 Factors Impacting T. M. Academy's Students' Selection of Catholic High School............... 91 The School's Mission as Seen by Students of T. M. Academy............................................. 94 v Factors Impacting Teachers' Selection of T. M. Academy.................................................... 95 The Principal's View of T. M. Academy............................................................................... 97 Advertising and Admissions' Materials................................................................................. 98 Summary................................................................................................................................ 101 CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION......................................................................................... 105 Summary of the Study........................................................................................................... 106 Conclusions and Discussion of the Findings......................................................................... 106 Research Question 1.............................................................................................................. 107 Research Question 2.............................................................................................................. 109 Research Question 3.............................................................................................................. 110 Research Question 4.............................................................................................................