Collaboration of a religious order and a public school chartering authority

In 2005, after a six-year period of discussion and discernment, the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools collaborated with the Chicago Public Schools to establish two charter schools known as the Catalyst Schools. Collaboration of religious organizations and local charter granting authorities for the establishment of charter schools is a new phenomenon. Recent research finds the Catalyst Schools succeeding at this collaboration because of the "faith-inspired" nature of the schools founded by two members of the Lasallian Christian Brothers. This qualitative case study investigated the collaboration and discernment among leaders of CPS and the Christian Brothers that allowed this successful partnership to be established. The aim of the study was to develop a series of evidence-based recommendations that can be used by similar organizations as a guide for establishing similar faith-inspired charter schools. Collection of data was accomplished through interviewing leaders, gathering documents, participating in shadowing experiences, and multiple observations. The pivotal moment of the discernment was provided by the former Superior General of the Christian Brothers who documented the world-wide commitment of the order to work with a variety of governmental agencies to educate poor children. Subsequently, the Christian Brothers developed a faculty formation regimen unique among charter schools that inspires the work of the Catalyst Schools to be carried on in a way that is consistent with the charisms of the order. The study concludes with the evidence-based recommendations and a reflection on the principles of leadership relevant to executing the recommended steps.