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ACRE/IFG Testimonials

Assessment of Catechesis / Religious Education (ACRE) Testimonials

The use of  ACRE has widened opportunities for the diocesan offices of religious education and Catholic schools to collaborate in meaningful ways.  The curriculum alignment exercise and report analysis process allow school, parish, and blended teams -- comprised of both parish and school community members -- to engage in meaningful and animated discussion over what we hold in common -- our desire to provide our students with a complete and systematic presentation of our Catholic faith tradition.

 

Jayne Mondoy, MA
Diocesan Director of Religious Education
Diocese of Honolulu 		Carmen Himenes, Ed.D 
Superintendent,
Hawaii Catholic Schools
Diocese of Honolulu
   

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Our experience with the ACRE survey began more than 10 years ago; it has been a very positive and effective tool for evaluating the growth of our program. The results of the ACRE survey have helped in all areas of development and implementation of the material required for the students’ faith formation.

 

We had the opportunity to purchase the New ACRE cartridges for the “Pflaum - Classroom Jeopardy Game”.  Catechists and students were excited at the prospect of having this new medium for teaching and learning with this interactive game. 

 

Cathy McGuire
Coordinator of Religious Education
St. Teresa of Avila Parish
Summit, NJ

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ACRE is a most effective instrument for helping catechetical leaders measure how well they are meeting the goals of their religion programs for developing Catholic identity, faith, and values in children and youth. I would encourage any Catholic school or parish religion program to incorporate this valuable tool into its religion curriculum.

Monsignor John M. Unger
Associate Superintendent for Religious Education
Archdiocese of St. Louis

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ACRE and IFG have been integral parts of our efforts to both affirm and challenge all who are involved in the faith formation efforts of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. ACRE has engendered a sense of accomplishment and provided confidence as new program developments are implemented in our Parish and Catholic school programs. The results have been invaluable in planning new strategies, curriculum enhancement and establishing a balance between the desired outcomes in the cognitive and affective domains. The valid and reliable results have served us as we celebrate our strengths and consider the needs in areas for growth. ACRE and IFG results provide valuable building blocks as we form the Church of today and tomorrow.

Brian Lemoi
Director of Religious Education
Diocese of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL

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Some years ago while writing a statistical term paper for my MA in Education, I took a close look at the assessments we had done on our eighth grade students in relation to how these same students did in social studies and English test results. ACRE proved an interesting and seemed to me a very accurate instrument as to how well the students did compared to the national outcomes. Those high is the social studies and English were also high in religion -- I felt this was study skills transferred. Students who were good in those two subjects but were not in the religious education average norms were students who were non-Catholic or had only just come to the Catholic school and while Catholic had had no instructions in the faith. This "knowledge" as to why some students were "different" in their results helped us see the importance in "tutorial" help for those students of the Catholic Tradition who had no formal study of their tradition. It also raised the question as a Catholic school if we shouldn’t develop something "extra" for our non-Catholic students so that these students wouldn’t be so "lost" in the religious education classroom. It seemed to me a good "host" makes sure that guests (our non-Catholic students) feel at home by understanding the customs and how the host family functions!!!

Daniel Schwieterman
Director of Religious EducationChrist the King Parish
Houston, TX
 

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The Information for Growth Survey (IFG) is an assessment tool with flexibility, spirit and truth!  In our archdiocese, it served to catalyze a renewed understanding and commitment to the value of ongoing faith formation, and a revitalization of our certification efforts with Catechists, Principals, PCLs and YMLs. 
 
Ms. Gwen Byrd                                           Mrs. Rebecca Titford
Superintendent of Catholic Schools       Director of Religious Education
Secretary for Education                             Archdiocese of Mobile         
Archdiocese of mobile
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The IFG instrument is very helpful in assessing the religious knowledge

of inquirers who approach the RCIA. It makes it possible to develop

catechesis that effectively addresses their situation. Keep up the good

work.

 

 

Deacon Dick Bowles
St. Paul Parish
Colorado Springs, Colorado

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"When I was a pastor with a school, I saw ACRE as a wonderful opportunity to find out how we were doing in communicating the basic truths of the Catholic Faith to our students. This is the purpose of Catholic Schools after all is said and done, isn't it? After the students took ACRE , which they did very well on, I used the content of the questions they missed as the material for our future meetings. It proved an invaluable tool in their education and growth as students of the Catholic faith and made my job as a pastor of souls easier. I highly recommend this tool to all pastors, especially those with schools."

 

Father Kevin Augustyn
Pastor
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
Boulder, Colorado