Students knowledge of religion to be assessed

This month in Catholic schools and religious education programs throughout the Diocese of New Ulm, students will be tested on their knowledge of religion.

Recently the Diocese of New Ulm received a $50,000 grant from the Catholic Extension Society. This grant will in part enable the diocese to do this testing. The grant will cover the cost of assessing all the 5th, 8th and 11th grade students’ knowledge of religion twice over a two year period of time as well as some funding for teacher development. However, the students need not worry. They cannot fail this test. The test really is all about improving religious education for all youth in the diocese.

The assessment will be done using a test developed by the National Catholic Education Association called Assessment of Catechesis Religious Education (ACRE). The test is designed to strengthen religious education programs in schools and parishes and assists schools and parish leaders to evaluate the faith knowledge and attitudes of students in Catholic schools and religious education programs. The test will give parish leaders the opportunity to look at how well their education programs are doing and give them direction in planning for improvement in the programs that are offered.

The test is about one hour in length. After completion, the tests will be sent to the University of Kansas where they are scored. Results will be returned to the local parishes and schools. The test will not be used to measure one program against another. They will primarily be used to affirm and challenge education leaders on the parish and school level.

All educators will also have the opportunity to complete a survey also developed by NCEA called Information for Growth (IFG).

The IFG survey was designed to assist individuals in assessing their own personal level of religious knowledge and spirituality. With information gained from the IFG survey program leaders will be better able to plan on-going faith formation initiatives for their staffs. Again, information will not be used to determine employment or to compare one teacher against another. Its purpose is solely to improve formation of catechists and educators and thereby improve the educational opportunities extended to the young people of the diocese.