PRINCIPALS' INFORMATION
Information to assist Archdiocese of KCK principals and teachers concerning keeping records of courses taken for personal faith formation:
This page serves to assist principals and teachers to understand their role in keeping track of courses which they take with Holy Family School of Faith in its partnership with Benedictine College since Benedictine College now only records those courses which are taken for college credit. Karla Leibham, Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas remains the primary contact person for questions on professional development and policy concerning continuing education in faith formation for Catholic school teachers. Since Fall of 2009, in accord with Archdiocesan developments for continued faith formation of teachers, Archdiocesan forms for in-service verification have become the primary source for records of on-going faith formation and professional development points; and principals play a special role in such verification.
There is no longer need for teachers to fill-out a registration form with Benedictine College unless a teacher desires to take the course for college credit. Whenever possible, Benedictine College still recommends taking courses for college credit due to the many benefits this offers teachers for continuing education: credit towards possible KSDE endorsement areas drastically discounted rates to support teachers, easier record keeping, and greater professional development point values. Only courses taken for college credit will be recorded with Benedictine College while all other records since 2009 can only be addressed by Holy Family School of Faith.
The Archdiocesan in-service verification form will serve as a teacher's record of having attended the ongoing faith formation courses. These can be signed and verified by principals or the professor for the course. Those still wishing to complete the former "A" (30 college credit) or "B" (18 college credit) certificate can still do so since all previous institute records will continue to be maintained by the college and since previous courses taken for credit are always on official transcripts. The main change is that those not taking the courses for college credit will henceforward have to keep record of their course completion themselves through the revised Archdiocesan in-service verification forms and not the previous IRS. To obtain records which Benedictine College maintains, visit Institute Records Requests.
Principals and teachers can view and print a Benedictine College School of Faith registration form when they desire to take a course for credit through Holy Family School of Faith (in partnership with Benedictine College) at an approved location. A sample syllabus of the course from which teachers can decide on whether or not they want the course for credit is at Course Catalog. Just click the listed course in the ‘modules’ section for the syllabus to appear and to see the requirements for course completion as college credit on that syllabus.
Benedictine College charges $10 for the recording fee of a course taken for credit with approved Holy Family School of Faith visiting scholars, professors, or lecturers. Our partner, Holy Family School of Faith, will charge their tuition to the school separately for all teachers in attendance based on the agreements those schools developed with Holy Family School of Faith. These updates in record keeping and billing are in accord with Archdiocesan policy changes for teachers which no longer mandate that courses in faith formation be taken for college credit. The greater emphasis is personal faith formation and the flexibility to adjust course length over more than one semester. Though college credit for continuing education in faith formation and institute certificates are no longer stressed, greater professional course standards are in place as revealed by syllabi and our standardized curriculum.
Registrations for taking the course for credit must be turned into the professor at your course location by the second week after your initial start of the course. Those registering to take a course for college credit must attach a check to the registration form, paid to the order of “Benedictine College”, for the $10 fee.
Principals or Vice-Principals are needed to ensure attendance is being recorded at course meetings; especially at larger schools even if their teachers are not taking the course for credit. Since principals will primarily sign-off at semester’s end on Archdiocesan in-service verification forms, their help is needed authenticating attendance. Principals’ attendance records for their teachers will help professors ensure college credit standards are being met.
If you have any further questions on Benedictine policy, contact the Academic Director for Benedictine College School of Faith or contact Karla Leibham to address any further Archdiocesan policy concerns at: kleibham@archkckcs.org. She can also ensure you have the proper Archdiocesan verification forms.
