Maybe as a child you played make-believe classroom with your dolls and knew early on that this was your path in life. For others of us, the journey into this vocation has been a winding and, at times, unexpected road. Whether you entered Catholic education through the front or back door, like the disciples, each of us were called into mission at some point in our life’s journey. This mission also planted a vision in us that, by the grace of God, we could help shape the lives of young people.
The last two principals of the parochial school I attended as a child, including the current principal, are both former Catholic high school students of mine. The former principal left her position to pursue a Ph.D. In one of my last conversations with her, she disclosed that when she was a teenager, she had self-doubt and was unsure about her future. I remember enlisting her as a senior class Kairos retreat leader because I saw great potential. She shared that it was because of my encouragement and belief in her that she became a Catholic school leader, and so she thanked me for that gift. Friends, those kinds of kudos don’t come along every day.
To be sure, we don’t do this work for recognition, but when students return and share how their faith blossomed through retreats, service projects, classroom discussions, or by simple encouragement, it reminds us that we are planting seeds. These seeds may take years to sprout, yet God’s plan continues to unfold through them.
Vatican II reminds us that the deposit of faith is one thing, but transmitting it faithfully to the next generation is another. To pass on the faith authentically, we must ask ourselves: how do we know what our students truly understand and believe?
The answer lies in assessment—not as a cold measurement, but as a way to nurture growth and vitality.
NCEA’s Assessment of Catholic Religious Education (ACRE) provides schools and parishes with a tool to evaluate how well students are learning and living the Catholic faith. More than just a test, ACRE helps us walk with our students and understand both their knowledge and their lived experiences.
A religious assessment like ACRE is important because it:
Measures Knowledge (Head): Identifies students’ grasp of core Catholic teachings, scripture, liturgy, and moral principles.
Assesses Beliefs and Attitudes (Heart): Provides insight into how students personally connect with their faith, their prayer life, and their values.
Guides Curriculum and Instruction: Helps educators tailor lessons to address gaps, reinforce strengths, and ensure the faith is passed on without error.
Encourages Student Reflection: Invites young people to pause, think, and articulate their understanding and relationship with God.
Supports a Culture of Faith: Strengthens the overall vitality of Catholic schools and parishes by nurturing an environment where faith is integrated into daily life.
Fosters Growth Over Time: Establishes benchmarks to track student progress and the long-term impact of religious education.
Informs Leaders and Communities: Provides pastors, principals, and diocesan leaders with concrete data to guide decision-making and program development.
Promotes Accountability in Mission: Ensures that Catholic schools and parishes remain faithful to their mission of evangelization and formation.
In short, we can only grow what we measure.
NCEA has listened to its members and identified ways to better meet their needs when it comes to assessing students in the faith. Educators and leaders have asked for:
Assessments available for all grades 2–12
Individualized student reporting that empowers growth
More robust and reliable reporting tailored to different users—from classroom teachers to bishops
Access to Spanish versions for the diverse communities we serve
To meet these needs, a new version of ACRE will be launched in 2026–2027. The revision process is already underway, guided by a diverse team of experts that includes diocesan leaders, classroom teachers, school leaders, higher education professionals, and religious publishers.
The new ACRE will be aligned with two essential USCCB documents:
Handbook on the Catechetical Accompaniment Process (Elementary and Middle School)
Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age (High School)
In partnership with a new platform provider, NCEA promises that the new ACRE version will provide a vastly enriched experience—one that supports the mission of Catholic education with even greater clarity, reliability, and impact.
Catholic education is not only about strategies, curricula, or lesson plans. It’s about cultivating a culture rooted in Christ. By using tools like ACRE, we gain a clearer picture of the health and vitality of our school and parish communities. This allows us to create conditions where trust in God and one another can flourish, and where faith can grow deeply.
NCEA shares this mission with every Catholic educator. Just as Christ continues to call us into this great work, we are called to walk together—measuring, reflecting, and improving along the way.
With the upcoming ACRE revision, Catholic schools and parishes will be better equipped to plant seeds of faith that grow into lifelong discipleship. Together, we can strengthen the conditions for faith to flourish and ensure the next generation carries the Gospel with authenticity and vitality.
John Galvanis the vice president of leadership engagement for NCEA.john@ncea.org