WELLINGTON An educational leader predicts students leaving Catholic schools will have a deeper understanding of their faith as a result of changes to religious education assessment. New Zealand Catholic Education Office chief executive Br Pat Lynch, FSC, said students will be able to have a more academic approach to the study of their religion after the New Zealand Qualifications Authority gave the green light for merit or excellence grades to be given for RE at NCEA levels 1, 2, and 3 from 2009.
Currently, Catholic schools can assess using unit standards in RE where achieved or not achieved grades are given, with the former counting as credits for NCEA.
Catholic schools can alternatively conduct their own assessments, which dont count towards the national qualification.
But another option, using new achievement standards, will be available from next year and Br Lynch expects it to rapidly become the predominant choice.
It brings RE up to the same level of academic standing as mainstream subjects like English and mathematics, which are assessed this way.
While merit and excellent grades dont mean extra credits towards NCEA, if a student gets enough such results, his or her certificate can be endorsed with merit or excellence.
Br Lynch said the changes will enhance the status of RE for students.
While the curriculum will not change, Br Lynch expects some schools to offer expanded courses.
Students will have the opportunity to have a more academic approach to the study of their religion and will have more incentive to do well and to be more intellectually challenged by what they study, he said.
This will inevitably lead to a more in-depth understanding of our faith.
The merit/excellence grade addition has already proven a winner [in other subjects] with many students attracted to higher standards of excellence.
This will inevitably occur with religious studies as well, he said.
NZCEO and the National Centre for Religious Studies have sought to have RE designated with achievement standard status for several years, Br Lynch said.
The achievement standards development was led by NCRS director Br Kevin Wanden, FMS, and a team of writers from schools, diocesan offices and tertiary institutions.
