Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Catholic Education Office

Religious Education Teachers Accreditation

Related Policies:

Religious Education Coordinators: Role & Responsibilities, Employment & Professional Development
Religious Education

Purpose:

This policy outlines the process for accreditation of teachers of Religious Education in Archdiocesan schools. This policy is based on the following principles:

1. All members of the Catholic community are participants in an ongoing journey of religious faith development, marked by constant conversion, growth and renewal, extending from birth through death and into eternal life.

2. The first educators of children as members of the Catholic Church, a part of the family of God, are parents. In partnership with parents and pastors the Catholic school has a major role to play in the educational mission of the Church. In this context, all members of a school staff have a vital role to play in building on the foundations of faith expressed at Baptism through the formal and informal curriculum of the school community.

3. Members of the school community, regardless of their individual faith position, are encouraged to actively develop their understanding and expression of the Catholic ethos and doctrine.

4. Each member of the school staff is encouraged, therefore, to seek out avenues (at a level appropriate to their position and role within the school community) for the development of:

• understanding of the values, teachings and beliefs underpinning the ethos of the Catholic school community; and
• awareness of Catholic perspectives in areas of responsibility pertaining to their role.

Policy:

1. The formal teaching of Religious Education in the Catholic school is the responsibility of the Principal, the Religious Education Coordinator and those appointed to positions of responsibility for the teaching of Religious Education within the classroom.

2. Staff who have overall responsibility for teaching Religious Education within Archdiocesan schools must be accredited to do so by the Head of Education Services at the Catholic Education Office.

3. The level of specialist knowledge required for the teaching of Religious Education should parallel that required for the teaching of other subject areas. Staff who have responsibility for teaching Religious Education within Archdiocesan schools must possess a formal teaching qualification and basic qualifications in Religious Education. In addition, they are required to:

• be Catholics with an ongoing, demonstrable commitment to their own faith journey, the faith community, and the Catholic tradition;
• show an understanding of the nature and aims of Religious Education in the Catholic school context;
• have sufficient scriptural and theological knowledge to teach the content of Treasures New and Old, the Religious Education Curriculum of the Archdiocese; and
• have skills in utilising a variety of classroom processes and methodologies suitable for the teaching of Religious Education.

4. Teachers from other religious traditions may not be formally responsible for a Religious Education class but may be involved in Religious Education lessons under the supervision of a Catholic teacher of Religious Education. As members of staff of a Catholic school, they should demonstrate an appreciation of the Catholic tradition and a sound understanding of the place of Religious Education in the life of the school and a willingness to foster its importance. ( CEO RE Qualifications Discussion Paper, 1991, 4.7)

5. Teachers without accreditation to teach Religious Education must either:

5.1 be participating in an appropriate course of study leading to a formal post graduate qualification; or

5.2 in the case of teachers newly appointed to a school within the Archdiocese, be participating, within three years, in an appropriate course of study leading to accreditation; or

5.3 have negotiated with the Head of Education Services, the date for commencement of post graduate studies leading to accreditation in Religious Education.

Definitions:

Nil

Procedures:

1. Staff members with responsibility for the formal teaching of Religious Education in schools within this Archdiocese, who are applying for accreditation as teachers of Religious Education in Archdiocesan schools, will send to the Head of Education Services, a completed application form and documentation of one or more of the following:

1.1 completion of a major course of study (equivalent to 5 units) of Religious Education in the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) or the Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree at a Catholic tertiary institution. Applications will be considered by the Head of Education Services in the light of documentation from a tertiary institution indicating equivalence in courses undertaken at that institution;

1.2 completion of an approved postgraduate course of study in Religious Education (at Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master levels); and/or

1.3 completion of a degree or postgraduate tertiary study within the Catholic tradition in Theology/Religion/Religious Studies together with evidence of appropriate course work and/or professional development in the teaching of Religious Education.

2. It is expected that the usual process of accreditation of teachers of Religious Education will be by way of formal graduate and/or postgraduate qualification for Religious Education as outlined. However, teachers who believe that they have achieved the equivalent of the specified formal qualification, may apply to be accredited in light of one or both of the following:

2.1 current enrolment or completion of studies in a recognized course for Accreditation in Religious Education [eg Certificate of Religious Education (NSW & ACT Dioceses. Previously Certificate A), Foundations (CEO Brisbane), Accreditation Program (CEO, WA)] with a view to the future completion of studies in one of the areas indicated; and/or

2.2 process of inservice (topics related to the aims, objectives & rationale of the Catholic school; child, adolescent & adult faith development; the person and meaning of Jesus Christ; Sacred Scripture; Catholic moral and doctrinal teaching; liturgy and prayer) and/or other appropriate learning.

3. Applicants for Accreditation may be invited to an interview with the Head of Education Services, or his/her nominee, which will address areas such as study, skills and experience in teaching Religious Education, involvement in parish or school retreats, parish leadership programs, leadership in sacramental programs or CCD ministry, or similar ministries. Documentary evidence of the teacher's demonstrated competence in the area of Religious Education will also be sought from current and past employers where appropriate.

References:

Nil

Forms:

Application for Accreditation as a Teacher of Religious Education

Last updated on December 2, 2006