---

Slowly but surely, the Albany Diocese's plan to improve the competitiveness of its Catholic schools is falling into place.

As early as the fall, diocesan officials may unveil a formal announcement to the public about the "Covenant to Educate" in the form of a pulpit letter and pamphlet from Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, as well as a press release.

"It's becoming a real, living document," said Sister Jane Herb, IHM, diocesan superintendent of schools, after a task force meeting last week.

Nearly 30 members - some veterans, some novices - discussed concerns and ideas about implementing the agreement over the next few years.

While many ideas continue to grow and change, a few will happen soon:

• Officials will choose a company to help market the 27 diocesan schools, "branding" the traits that characterize the Diocese's Catholic schools. The schools will be linked in leadership, development and marketing under the Covenant to Educate. Schools will also forge stronger alliances with parishes.

• They are also close to hiring a facilitator to bolster curriculum development.

• They will identify an implementation team to move forward with the next steps.

• Finally, the diocesan Catholic Schools Office will tweak the tactical plan, to be approved by the aforementioned team.

One concern raised by the teachers, principals and community members was identifying the target audience: How can the team "brand" the schools to non-Catholic parents and community supporters? How are Catholic schools viewed outside the Catholic circle? How can they garner the support of Catholics who don't have school-age children?

Selling educators on the plan to streamline curricula, as well as identifying standards against which the schools will be measured, were other hot topics.

Again, members plugged ideas like offering International Baccalaureate (a program promoting intercultural understanding and respect) to high school students; Catholic college courses in high school and enrichment programs for Kindergarten-through-eighth-grade schools.

And pre-K programs, they said, must inspire parents to stick with Catholic schools - beyond immersing the children in elementary school programs like library, art, music and drama.

Some plans for the proposal are already set in stone: establishing diocesan schools as places where the Gospel values of Jesus are integrated throughout all school activities, for instance.

Other examples include partnering with Catholic colleges and diocesan leaders to train educators in faith formation preparation, and creating a website and social networking sites to engage community members and current students in discussions about Catholic education.

At the task force meeting, "I heard a desire to move forward in an aggressive manner," Sister Jane said, cautioning that the urgency must be balanced with practicality.

One thing's for certain, she said: "There's an excitement in the Catholic community to plan this initiative."[[In-content Ad]]

---