John McCarthy holds an M.A. from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. from Université de Montréal. He was the Chief Superintendent of the Calgary Catholic School Board from 1977 to 1992. Now retired, he has become the Director of the Canadian Charter Schools Resource Centre, 100 - 24 Mapleglade Close S.E., Calgary, Alberta T2J 2G9, tel: (403) 271-1889.