Religious Education

Standard 1. Sacred Scripture
Students in the Diocese of Madison will read and understand Sacred Scripture as God's Word speaking to them.

Standard 2. Doctrine
Students in the Diocese of Madison will know and understand the basic teachings of the church and how they apply to their lives.

Standard 3. Sacraments
Students in the Diocese of Madison will know and appreciate the importance of the sacraments and the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of Catholics.

Standard 4. Community
Students in the Diocese of Madison will understand and appreciate the role of the faith community – the Catholic Church – into which they have been baptized and through which they grow in faith to mature discipleship and will know what it means to have membership in the local, universal Catholic Church.

Standard 5. Service
Students in the Diocese of Madison will engage in service to and exercise responsible stewardship for the various communities to which they belong: family, school, parish, civic, national, global.

Standard 6. Prayer
Students in the Diocese of Madison will experience and appreciate a variety of prayer forms in addition to the prayer of the sacraments.

Standard 7. Spirituality
Students in the Diocese of Madison will know how to develop a personal relationship with God.

Click on each standard below for a rationale and description of the performance categories for each standard.

Sacred Scripture • Doctrine • Sacraments • Community • Service • Prayer • Spirituality

Click below to find the religious education competencies for each grade level or to find more information about the standards.

Diocese of Madison Religious Education Standards

Introduction

Purpose
Religious education standards identify seven categories of expectations for the formation of youth in their Catholic faith. The PreK-8 religious education standards of the Diocese of Madison also include specific grade level competencies that every youth should know and be able to demonstrate.

Diocesan Religious Education Standards will strengthen the partnership between the primary educators of children – their parents – and the supporting educators of children – pastors, catechists, and Catholic school teachers. Diocesan Religious Education Standards will assist parents, catechists, and teachers to work together toward the stated learning competencies. The Standards will also allow parents, clergy, catechists, and teachers the freedom to achieve the desired learning competencies by creatively developing various and different curriculum. Developing sound curricula (choosing appropriate resources, and designing the appropriate learning process and creating the clearest lesson plan) will assure the desired leaning under each standard.

Forming our children in the Catholic faith is an honor and a privilege. However, we must acknowledge that the task of teaching just the basics of the Catholic faith to new generations of young Catholics cannot be accomplished solely through the dedicated efforts of Parish priests, catechists, and Catholic school teachers. The success of teaching the basics of our faith to the younger generation of Catholics will depend not only upon the limited amount of time spent in a parish catechetical program but also upon the extended amount of time and effort devoted to learning and practicing the faith at home.

History
As we examined religious education programs throughout the diocese, it was apparent that a rich variety of approaches and materials were in use. At the same time, there was no clear and common expectation for what constitutes a basic understanding of the Catholic faith as appropriate for grades K-8.

Beginning in late 1996, the Diocesan Offices for Religious Education and Catholic Schools together engaged pastors and parish staff in regional discussions concerning the need for religious education standards. With their support and encouragement the offices drafted recommendations and rationale for seven religious education standards. This draft was then taken back to the various regions of the diocese for further discussion and editing. The next and rather challenging task was to identify the basics of the Catholic faith that would be appropriate for children to know at their various grade levels. Again we took the draft suggestions to various regional meetings around the diocese and sought the help and wisdom of pastors, parish directors of religious education, coordinators of religious education, youth ministers, principals, teachers and parents. This process took a number of years but allowed for significant input from members of the diocesan family.

In the end, the regional hearings suggested that the specific basic competencies be identified by grade level but that parishes together with families have the freedom to move suggested grade level competencies to a different grade level if that change would more appropriately accommodate their local situation.

Relationship to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
The four parts of The Catechism of the Catholic Church provide a ready structure and basis for sound catechesis, upon which are founded the Religious Education standards for the Diocese of Madison.

Part One of the Catechism, "The Profession of Faith," provides a framework which supports the efforts of the bishops, pastors, catechists, and parents to understand and to teach Sacred Scripture and the doctrine of the Church. Part Two, "The Celebration of the Christian Mystery," emphasizes worship, particularly the Sacraments. Part Three, "Life in Christ," focuses on the moral life of the Christian disciple, who lives in community and is called to service. Part Four, "Christian Prayer," helps those charged with catechesis to understand the Church's life of prayer and the importance it plays in the spiritual life of all members of the Church.

The framework of The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Religious Education Standards will be a valuable tool for teaching a basic understanding of the Catholic faith to our children.

How the Seven Religious Education Standards fit into the Four Parts of The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Part One: The Profession of Faith
1. Sacred Scripture
2. Doctrine

Part Two: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery
3. Sacraments

Part Three: Life in Christ
4. Community
5. Service

Part Four: Christian
6. Prayer
7. Spirituality

Note: CCC refers to The Catechism of the Catholic Church and all numbers following CCC refer to paragraphs.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONTENT STANDARDS, CATEGORIES, AND COMPETENCIES

SACRED SCRIPTURE
Content Standard 1 – Catholic students in the Diocese of Madison will read and understand Sacred Scripture as God's word speaking to them. CCC: 101-141, 512-741, 1961-1974

Rationale
Since the very beginning, the church has understood Sacred Scripture as the word of God. "In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them; and the force and power in the word of God is so great that it remains the support and energy of the church, the strength of faith..., the food of the soul, the pure and perennial source of spiritual life" (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, 21). Knowing how to read, understand, and reflect on Sacred Scripture enables the believer to be in touch with God, and to use God's word as a guide for living.

Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the Holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Performance Standard Categories

Students will be familiar with the books of the bible and know how to locate biblical citations. CCC 120-130.
Students will understand how God speaks to them through various literary forms used in the Bible. CCC 109-119.
Students will understand God's message to them as contained in Sacred Scripture. CCC 101-141.
Students will be able to trace the story of salvation as presented in the bible. CCC 484-741, 1961-1986.
Students will be able to apply the truths of the bible to their daily lives. CCC 131-133.

DOCTRINE
Content Standard 2 – Catholic students in the Diocese of Madison will know and understand the basic teachings of the Church and how they apply to their lives. CCC: 27-49, 74-90, 142-1065.

Rationale
God continues to speak to his people today through the authentic teaching of the Church, which reflects on God's word, interprets it authoritatively, and expresses it truthfully in doctrine and dogma. Through Tradition, "the Church, in her doctrine, life and worship perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes" (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, 8). Knowing and understanding what the Church teaches enables the believer to live by God's word and give witness to it in all the believer says and does.

He taught them on the Sabbath and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. (Luke 4:32)

Performance Standard Categories

Students will illustrate a basic understanding of key Catholic dogmas. CCC: 39-73, 142-421, 422-455, 461-463, 470-741, 748-870, 949-1065.
Students will understand the relationship between Church doctrine and their daily lives. CCC: 26-38, 456-460, 901-913.
Students will understand how the Church has developed its dogma and doctrine over the centuries. CCC: 74-100, 871-945.
Students will be able to describe key differences between Roman Catholic beliefs and practices and the beliefs and practices of other religions. CCC: 464-469, 811-870.

SACRAMENTS
Content Standard 3 – Catholic students in the Diocese of Madison will know and appreciate the importance of the sacraments and the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of Catholics. CCC: 1076-1690

Rationale
The Church teaches that the sacraments are necessary for salvation. In each sacrament the grace of the Holy Spirit unites us with Jesus our Savior, and enables us to partake in the divine nature of God (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 7129). Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, lead us to holiness, build up the Body of Christ, and give praise to God. Sacraments "not only presuppose faith, but by words and objects they also nourish, strengthen and express it" (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 59).

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. (Acts 2:42)

Performance Standard Categories

Students will be able to name, define, and describe each of the seven sacraments of the Church and will know how to participate in the celebration of each. CCC: 1066-1209, 1420-1421, 1533-1535; Baptism: 1210-1284; Confirmation: 1285-1321; Eucharist: 1322-1`419; Reconciliation: 1422-1498; Anointing of the Sick: 1499-1532; Holy Orders: 1536-1600; Matrimony: 1601-1666.
Students will understand that the Eucharist has a special and central place in the life of the church and in their own lives because it contains the very act of redemption which Jesus accomplished in his life, death and resurrection. CCC: 1322-1419.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of liturgical seasons and feasts. CCC: 1163-1199.
Students will be able to use appropriate resources to plan and participate in liturgical celebrations. CCC: 1145-1162, 1273.

COMMUNITY
Content Standard 4 – Catholic students in the Diocese of Madison will understand and appreciate the role and structure of the faith community - the Catholic Church - into which they have been baptized and through which they grow in faith to mature discipleship and will know what it means to have membership in the local, universal Catholic Church. CCC: 787-791, 871-948, 1546-1570, 1730-1986, 2030-2051.

Rationale
Love of God cannot be separated from love of neighbor (cf. 1 John 4:20). Baptized into the Church, the Christian becomes a member of the one Body of Christ. As members of the Body of Christ, we no longer belong to ourselves, but to Jesus who suffered, died and rose for our salvation (cf. 1 Cor. 6:19; 2 Cor. 5:15). As members of the Body of Christ, our actions (both good and bad) have an effect on the Christian community. It is together, as Church -- the Body of Christ -- that we grow to maturity in faith and become true disciples of Christ.

The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers. (Acts 9:31)

Performance Standard Categories

Students will know the foundations of the Catholic Church and its moral teachings. CCC: 1691-2557.
Students will apply Catholic moral teachings to their relationship with God, with others, and with self. CCC: 1730-1960.
Students will use Catholic social justice principles to critique social structures. CCC: 1878-1948.
Students will recognize their responsibilities as members of the Body of Christ, the Church. CCC: 787-791, 1730-1738, 1878-1948.
Students will understand the various roles in the Church, i.e. Bishop, priest, laity, religious, ordained and non-ordained. CCC: 871-948, 1546-1570, 2030-2051.

SERVICE
Content Standard 5 – Catholic students in the Diocese of Madison will engage in service to and exercise responsible stewardship for the various communities to which they belong: family, school, parish, diocese, civic, national, global. CCC: 299, 849-856, 874-948, 1699-1729, 1822-1832, 2030-2051, 2415-2418, 2443-2463

Rationale
Faith is for service. Jesus said repeatedly: "I have come not to be served, but to serve" (cf. Mk. 10:45; Mt. 20:28). The human person needs to live in society. Society is not optional, but a requirement of human nature. Through exchange with others, mutual service and dialogue, we develop our potential, and respond to our vocations (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1879). All Christian service is an expression of love, and is performed by the Christian for the purpose of building up the Kingdom of God on earth."

Whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:43b-45)

Performance Standard Categories

Students will understand Christian service in the light of the gospel call to love of neighbor. CCC: 849-856, 1822-1832.
Students will participate in a variety of service activities as a way of demonstrating their love and care for others. CCC: 1716-1729, 1822-1829, 2443-2463.
Students will exercise responsible stewardship for the gift of creation. CCC: 299, 2415-2418, 2456.
Students will understand how Christian service shapes and transforms culture and society. CCC: 849-856.
Students will examine the variety of Christian life-styles as ways to respond to the baptismal call to a life of service. CCC: 874-948, 2030-2051.

PRAYER
Content Standard 6 – Catholic students in the Diocese of Madison will experience and appreciate a variety of prayer forms in addition to the prayer of the sacraments. CCC: 2558-2857.

Rationale
Prayer has been described in many different ways through the centuries, but at its most basic level, prayer is talking with God. St. Therese of Lisieux called prayer "the raising of one's mind and heart to God." "According to Scripture, it is the heart that prays" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2562). In the experience of different forms of prayer, we discover how we best talk with God.

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (Matthew 6:8-9)

Performance Standard Categories

Students will learn about the rich variety of prayer forms used in the church over the centuries, including the many types of devotional prayer commonly used in the church. CCC: 2558-2857.
Students will experience various forms of prayer. CCC: 2626-2643, 2685-2691, 2700-2719, 2761-2776.
Students will develop and be able to describe their own style of personal prayer. CCC: 2626-2643, 2683, 2742-2745.

SPIRITUALITY
Content Standard 7 – Catholic students in the Diocese of Madison will know how to develop a personal relationship with God. CCC: 487-511, 721-726, 829, 963-975, 1691-1696, 1704-1715, 2045, 2742-2745.

Rationale
Our spirituality is our way of being in relationship with God. Each person is unique and has a unique relationship with God. The desire for God is written in the human heart, because we are created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw us to himself. Only in God will we find the truth and happiness we keep searching for (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 27). Spirituality is the response of the human person to the revelation of God's love in Christ, and consists in the loving knowledge and service of God and neighbor. It begins when God's word is accepted in faith, and it manifests itself in the expression and the development of the love of God in prayer and action. To be sure, spirituality is the thread that weaves its way through all that we believe, profess, celebrate, and respond to in life. It is the life thread that unites us to God's love and mercy. It is the life of God lived by people in the Body of Christ (cf. New Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 73, Page 598ff).

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. (1 John 3:1)

Performance Standard Categories

Students will be able to describe their personal relationship with God. CCC: 1691-1696, 1704-1715, 2045.
Students will know how to deepen their spirituality. CCC: 2742-2745.
Students will be acquainted with saints and mystics in the history of the Church and the special place of Mary among them. CCC: 487-511, 721-726, 829, 963-975.