shows an example of a checklist for rigging and
unrigging a religious education program.
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.
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