A Statement on the Publication of Test Scores in the Archdiocese of Baltimore

In today’s society, the climate of transparency is crucial in defining the authenticity of an organization. In September 2008, the Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools Superintendent’s Office announced its decision to publicize test scores. The Office will also release the appropriate test score information to all donors and researchers who request it provided they adhere to the conditions and prerequisites established by the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

The instruments that provide us with reliable data in giving us both student and school profiles are national standardized tests which include ITBS, Stanford 10, Terra Nova, PSAT, SAT, ACT, as well as a nationally known test distributed by the National Catholic Educational Association, ACRE (Assessment of Catholic Religious Education), which measures the knowledge of a student’s Catholic faith.

In September 2009, when schools must post their current standardized test scores on their website, the Archdiocesan website will indicate that persons call or visit a school’s website when seeking school specific standardized test scores. Similarly, as is the current practice, the Archdiocese will refer anyone who calls and requests test information to the specific school. The school is required to release test score information.