HoW TO SIGN UP
STEP: 0
Optional: Attend Light the Match July 29
A breakout session with Rob Kenney, Executive Director of ARK on the purpose and mission of ARK.
STEP: 1
Complete “Parish Data Template” by September 6, 2024. See form below step 7.
STEP: 2
Create account on arktest.org. Once the “Parish Data Template” is submitted, you will receive an email from ARK to create an account. Check your spam and junk folder since this is an automated email!
STEP: 3
Register & Attend one Dashboard Orientation Webinar. These webinars will teach you to navigate the ARK dashboard. These webinars will NOT address testing period or information specific to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. You’ll only need to attend one of these webinars.
September 24, 2024, 10:00 – 11:30am
January 16, 2025, 1:00 – 2:30pm
STEP: 4
Complete the “Student Data Template” by October 4, 2024.
STEP: 5
Optional: Attend Build the Fire February 24 & 25, 2025
A breakout session on how to use ARK results for strategic evangelization planning. This breakout is best suited for Directors of Evangelization, Assoc. Directors for Children Evangelization, and Assoc. Directors for Youth Evangelization.
STEP: 6
Administer ARK The administration period for ARK will be in Spring 2025.
ARK will set the testing period for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati shortly. This testing period will last approximately six weeks, during which all parishes can have students and catechists take ARK.
We recommend that Directors of Evangelization (or their delegate), establish a testing day during this period where all students and catechists will take this test. This can be during an established event, like religious education class or youth ministry, or can be administered to students at home. The DoE will “open” the assessment online for a short period of time, during which students and catechists can access the assessment, then “close” the assessment online once the assessment period is over.
STEP: 7
Synthesize Results & Plan for 2025-2026 Consultation available for using ARK results for strategic evangelization planning.
For questions or support, contact Christine Baumgardner, Associate Director for Children and Family Evangelization at cbaumgardner@catholicaoc.org.
ARK FAQs
What is ARK?
The Assessment of Religious Knowledge (ARK) “delivers clear, actionable insights that enable you to ensure a robust Catholic foundation” for all students and catechists.
Are all parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati required to take ARK?
Yes! All parishes are required to administer ARK for students in religious education and formation programs in grades 2-12 and all catechists.
Additionally, demographic data gathered from ARK will be utilized in reports that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is required to submit regularly to the Vatican. This does not include results data.
My pastor has told me that it’s not necessary to participate in ARK. What should I do?
ARK is required for all parishes. Please have your pastor contact Christine Baumgardner, Associate Director for Children & Family Evangelization at cbaumgardner@catholicaoc.org.
Why are we using ARK?
ARK tests students yearly between grades 2-12, allowing pastors, Director of Evangelization, Associate Directors of Children or Youth Evangelization, catechists, and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to make consistent and timely improvements in evangelization, religious education, and formation programs.
What happened to ACRE?
The use of ACRE has been discontinued in parishes within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in favor of ARK. ARK provides a more comprehensive approach to assessment.
How is ARK different than the Professional Catechist Exam?
ARK is an annual assessment for students and catechists. The Professional Catechist Exam is a one-time exam that all professional catechists are required to pass within 6 months of publication or hiring. See the “Youth Religious Education Policy for Parishes”.
What is the first step for my family of parishes to prepare for ARK?
See the ARK Roadmap and complete the Parish Data Template.
When signing up for ARK should we register as individual parishes or as a Family of Parishes?
Family of Parishes. The Director of Evangelization or Pastor should register the Family of Parishes by completing the Parish Data Template. One Parish Data Template should be submitted per family of parishes.
What is the cost for my parish to take ARK?
There is no cost to you. All associated costs for ARK are paid for by the Center for the New Evangelization.
Who is responsible for ARK in my family of parishes?
The Director of Evangelization is the primary person responsible for ARK in each family of parishes. The Pastor is the primary person responsible for ARK if a Director of Evangelization has not been named. The Pastor may choose to assign this responsibility to another staff member.
How do I create an account on arktest.org?
You will receive an automated email from “no-reply@arktest.org” to create your account once all families of parishes have completed the Parish Data Template. The Center for the New Evangelization will email all Directors of Evangelization (or Pastors) once this Template has been submitted to ARK.
How do students and catechists study for ARK?
They don’t! ARK is meant to assess the day-to-day knowledge of the faith in students and catechists. Studying for ARK will provide unreliable data on which to evaluate and redirect services, training, and resources.
Are Volunteer Catechists required to take ARK? Why?
Yes! Volunteer Catechists are required to take ARK. This will allow Directors of Evangelization to assess their day-to-day knowledge of the Catholic faith. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati will similarly use this data.
Are Professional Catechists required to take ARK? Why?
Yes! Professional Catechists are required to take ARK. This will allow Directors of Evangelization to assess their day-to-day knowledge of the Catholic faith. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati will similarly use this data.
We are using Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Should these students and catechists take ARK?
Yes!
We are using a Family Faith Formation program. Should these students and parents take ARK?
Yes, these students should take ARK!
Parents taking the Catechist Assessment is at your discretion. We recommend that these parents DO take ARK so that you can assess the formation and growth of your parents alongside their children.
Should Youth Evangelists, including those involved in youth ministry, small groups, or Sacramental preparation, take the Catechist assessment?
Yes!
Should Adult Evangelists, including those involved in OCIA, take the Catechist assessment?
Adult Evangelists taking the Catechist Assessment is at your discretion. We recommend that these evangelists DO take ARK so that you can assess the formation and growth of your adult evangelists.
Do we take ARK online or use paper tests?
ARK will be administered online for parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Requests for paper tests can be made through the Center for the New Evangelization. Requests will only be granted for exceptional needs. Contact Christine Baumgardner, Associate Director for Children & Family Evangelization at cbaumgardner@catholicaoc.org.
We do not have access to computers at our church. How do we administer ARK?
ARK can be administered on computers, tablets, and smart phones. Students can bring these for in-person assessment or ARK can be administered while students are off-campus.
If my students take ARK at home, how can I monitor if they are searching for answers on their phones or asking other family members for assistance?
There is no built-in system on the ARK dashboard for monitoring students during at-home assessment. Directors of Evangelization may choose to hold video calls (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, etc.) during assessment to monitor students and catechists, but the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is not requiring this type of monitoring.
Can ARK be started, stopped, and started again? Does ARK have to be taken in one sitting?
ARK must be completed in one sitting.
I have students who have a disability or are on an IEP. Can accommodations for these students be made?
Yes, but accommodation should be made for students with disabilities, an IEP, or other specific needs. This may include extended assessment time, paper testing, or exclusion from ARK, at the discretion of the Director of Evangelization.
Who sees ARK results?
Access to ARK results are as follows:
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati – Results of all parishes and individual student and catechist scores within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
- Directors of Evangelization and/or Pastors – Results of all parishes and individual student and catechist scores in his/her family of parishes.
- Associate Directors of Children or Youth Evangelization – Results of parishes and individual student and catechist scores as assigned by the pastor.
- Catechists – Results of students in his/her class.
How do I get the ARK results for my parish?
Results are automatically updated on the ARK dashboard for Directors of Evangelization and/or pastors; Associate Directors of Children or Youth Evangelization; and catechists, according to the appropriate level of access.
How will parishes be expected to use ARK results?
Results should be used to evaluate catechetical and evangelization initiatives and programs within the parish and inform necessary changes for improvement. The Center for the New Evangelization offers training and consulting on utilizing ARK results.
What happens if my students and catechists score low on ARK?
What you do with the results is more important than the results themselves. Results should be used to evaluate catechetical and evangelization initiatives and programs within the parish and inform necessary changes for improvement.
How will the Archdiocese of Cincinnati use result from ARK?
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati will use results from ARK to evaluate and redirect pastoral services, training for professional and volunteer catechists, and internal resources.
Additionally, demographic data gathered from ARK will be utilized in reports that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is required to submit regularly to the Vatican. This does not include results data.
