Sample Letters to Support NCEA ACRE in the Field

MEMORANDUM

TO: Priest Directors, Directors, Coordinators and Facilitators of Religious Education

FROM: Joseph P. Sinwell, D.Min., Diocesan Director

DATE: March 30, 2011

RE: NCEA ACRE 2001

The National Catholic Educational Association's Assessment for Catechesis /Religious Education (NCEA ACRE) is a great tool for use in parish religious education programs. It is available from NCEA's outsourcer for order fulfillment, scoring, and reporting, the Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation (CETE) at the University of Kansas (1-866-367-2383).

With the revised tool, NCEA expanded the specifications for content coverage, strengthened the questions related to beliefs, behaviors, attitudes and perceptions, and designed summary reports that are more user-friendly. An excellent evaluative tool for parish religious education programs, NCEA ACRE is geared for grade 5, grades 8 or 9, and grades 11 or 12. Students in confirmation preparation programs would benefit from the Level 3 assessment for senior high school grades.

A group score report and a comparison to national figures are tabulated. Optional individual student score reports for the faith knowledge section are available for an additional fee. This assessment is worth reviewing; a brochure and other information are enclosed. I highly recommend NCEA ACRE as a practical way to evaluate the present and assess recommendations for the future of your religion program. If you have any questions about NCEA ACRE, please contact the diocesan office at 278-4646.

Another assessment tool offered by NCEA is the Information For Growth (IFG) for adults. IFG provides a spiritual/growth profile for all adults: the general population as well as catechists, parents, catechumenate team members, and neophytes. For more information contact the diocesan office of religious education at 278-4646. For general information and periodic updates about NCEA ACRE-IFG, go to www.ncea.org.

JPS/cab