COMPILING AND REPORTING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION STATISTICS

Statistics are often used to stimulate, exaggerate, baffle, or oversimplify. Statistical methods and statistical terms are needed to report data of religious education trends, conditions, opinions, and census. Without knowledgeable users such as RPs, chaplains, and staff personnel, the results may be meaningless.

Statistical reporting is basically furnishing numerical facts that summarize what occurred and was recorded. It may include similarity of facts for different periods of time, analysis, evaluation, and clarification of the meaning of the data. In the religious education program, you must furnish the leadership, guidance, and technical assistance to manage a successful CRP religious education statistical program.

In developing a system of statistical reporting, you must remember that reports should meet the following criteria:

Satisfy a specific need

Suit the occasion and contain more than cost figures

Be suited to individual chaplains or faith groups

Be timely, self-explanatory, and impartial

Promote management by exception

Be fair, accurate, and simple

Be open to clear-cut analysis

Be cost-effective, either in time or money

Provide for follow-up reports

Your collection and interpretation of statistical reports are not read as ends in themselves. They are the means to an end-the accomplishment of plans. The results they help to achieve depend largely upon the chaplains, RPs, councils, and religious education volunteers. This is why your statistical reporting must be geared to the needs of the recipients; In the following paragraphs, you will read about methods you can use to report statistical information. You can adapt each of these methods to your individual style.

Written Reports

The value of a written report is that it can be read at a convenient time and is available for subsequent rereading and study. Reports that are short and to the point are generally more attractive. For this reason, you should make use of tables, analyses, graphs, and other efficient ways of presenting statistical data. Consider the following methods: 

l Flash statistics are periodic summary cards or sheets that provide flash reports of key religious education monthly (or other periodic) statistics in brief. This easy-to-handle form for reference purposes shows progress in broad areas known to the observer. 

. Flash analyses are statistical highlights that provide a brief form of a timely graphic and narrative statement of meaningful changes, changes in broad religious education areas, and suggested areas for further investigation. 

l Analytical statistical reviews provide for the examining of progress in religious education program areas covering a period of time longer than 1 month. These reviews allow the reader to compare progress with plans and trends and may provide a narrative explanation of unusual variations. l Reference book compilation of statistical data makes available to chaplains, councils, and faith groups information usable for reference in areas where problems arise. A reference book provides broad trends, comparative data, and detailed grouping.

Graphic Devices

You may use graphic devices to dramatize situations as well as to assist those participating in remembering noticeable points. Your graphic devices may be used in concert with oral presentations. Such graphic devices may include charts, tables, outlines, slides, transparencies, and other illustrative materials. By using your computer and software applications you are only limited by your own creativity.

Finally, in a program as complex as the religious educational ministry, reports to those managing the religious education program must show interrelationships. A decline in one program may require replanning or reprogramming elsewhere. Statistical reporting can be deficient if it does not, on a regular basis, provide chaplains, teachers, and faith groups with information on the interrelationship of programs. Your ability in reporting statistical information is the force that unites all facets of the religious education program into an integrated whole, from program onset to realization.

SUMMARY

As an RP, you need to realize the importance of religious education in the sea service environment. This chapter has given you an introduction into the significant of your role in quality religious education programming. The information will help you gain appropriate entry level skills in developing well-planned programs to assist in providing quality religious education.