Ignatian Pedagogy for Public Schools

Character Formation for Urban Youth in New York City

Benjamin J. Brenkert

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN:
  9781350339019
• eBook ISBN:
  9781350339033
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education Theory & Practice

This book shows how the pedagogical philosophy of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) founder, Ignatius of Loyola, can be used and applied in public school settings in the USA and around the world without dismantling the separation of church and state. Ignatian Pedagogy should be considered a historical precursor to modern practical and pedagogical theories such as culturally relevant pedagogy and equity frameworks in education, with Jesuit foundational texts such as the Ratio Studiorum including material about working within and valuing the context of the culture surrounding schools, emphasizing student voice and empowering the student as a co-teacher.

Based on new research carried out in New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) schools the author argues for universal character formation programs based on already existing and highly effective programs at Jesuit-sponsored schools. The research shows that universal character formation programs are highly effective in developing students flourishing, strengthening their relationships with themselves and others, and enabling critical, reflective thought. Based on the theory of Ignatius of Loyola and the work of thinkers including Paulo Freire, Mahatma Gandhi, Elisabeth Johnson and Martin Luther King, Brenkert presents a theological-philosophical framework for creating a 'beloved community' free from oppression, poverty and hate.

Table of contents

• Half-Title
• Series
• Title
• Contents
• List of Tables
• Acknowledgments
• 1 The Pedagogy of Ignatius of Loyola
• 2 Ignatius of Loyola and Character Formation
• 3 Feminist Theology and Pedagogy: Engaging Critical Theory
• 4 Assessing a Jesuit-Sponsored School’s Afterschool Program of Character Formation
• 5 Special Education Placement (From Most Restrictive Environment to Least Restrictive Environment): An Application of Ignatian Pedagogy and the IPP in a New York City Public School
• 6 Ignatian Pedagogy and the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm: Implications and Findings for New York City Public Schools
• 7 A Framework for Human Flourishing and the Creation of the Beloved Community
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Annotated Bibliography
• Appendix A: The Jesuit-Sponsored School Afterschool Program of Character Formation Student Survey
• Appendix B: Hypotheses
• Appendix C: Results: Student Age and Self-Esteem
• Appendix D: Results: Student Grade Level and Development of Social Skills
• Appendix E: Results: Student Age and Intensity of Activity
• Appendix F: Results: Sense of Belonging
• Appendix G: Logic Model Situation
• Index
• Copyright