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For the past 15 years, Catholic colleges and universities have developed programs serving Catholic K-12 schools by preparing teachers and leaders for Catholic school contexts. University-school partnerships provide an opportunity for Catholic institutions of higher education to extend beyond developing human resources to strengthen Catholic K-12 schools to effect comprehensive school reform. This article describes the origins and evolution of one such university-school partnership initiative, the University of Notre Dame's Magnificat School partnerships. This article presents an analysis of program evaluation data from the first 3 years of the Magnificat partnerships and a discussion of how the lessons learned in this program evaluation have informed revisions to the Magnificat model. Additionally, these lessons can inform the efforts of other colleges and universities that may seek to engage Catholic K-12 schools to effect comprehensive school reform. (Contains 2 figures.)

This article offers responses from Joyce V. Johnstone and Kevin M. Hanbury to the article "Urban revitalization: A case study of one Catholic elementary school's journey," by R. F. Owens. Johnstone mentions that the Owens article tells the story of one school in Chicago. Although the study itself may not be highly generalizable, it is compelling in a year in which the Chicago archdiocese announced the closing of 23 schools (Archdiocese of Chicago, 2005). It is past time for the Catholic community, the clergy, parish members, Catholic school educators, and those in Catholic higher education to mobilize before the Catholic school in one's parish is beyond salvage. In Hanbury's opinion, Owens shares with those who struggle with identity issues for Catholic schools in urban areas some thought-provoking insights based upon a case study. Hanbury stresses that Owens is correct in reiterating that the roles of the principal, the teachers, and the parents are pivotal to creating a positive and collaborative environment within the learning community of the Catholic school.

For the past 15 years, Catholic colleges and universities have developed programs serving Catholic K-12 schools by preparing teachers and leaders for Catholic school contexts. University-school partnerships provide an opportunity for Catholic institutions of higher education to extend beyond developing human resources to strengthen Catholic K-12 schools to effect comprehensive school reform. This article describes the origins and evolution of one such university-school partnership initiative, the University of Notre Dame's Magnificat School partnerships. This article presents an analysis of program evaluation data from the first 3 years of the Magnificat partnerships and a discussion of how the lessons learned in this program evaluation have informed revisions to the Magnificat model. Additionally, these lessons can inform the efforts of other colleges and universities that may seek to engage Catholic K-12 schools to effect comprehensive school reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Letters to the editor are presented in response to the article "Urban Revitalization: A Case Study of One Catholic Elementary School's Journey," in a 2005 issue.