Abstract
This article assesses religion teaching as a profession in terms of selected characteristics that scholars agree are common to all professions. The characteristics that are addressed include essential service, call to serve, special knowledge and skills, specialized and advanced university training, public trust and status, code of ethics and performance standards, and professional organization. The research suggests that religion teaching satisfies two of the seven selected characteristics, namely the essential service and call to serve, but does not fully satisfy the other five. The main conclusion drawn is that steps must be taken to professionalize religion teaching. To that end, recommendations include the further development of a professional association for religion teachers, credentialing standards, and a certification/licensing scheme.
DOI
10.15365/joce.0904022013
First Page
399
Last Page
424
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Cook, T. J., & Hudson, W. J. (2006). Toward the Professionalization of Catholic High School Religion Teachers: An Assessment of Religion Teaching as a Profession. Journal of Catholic Education. https://doi.org/10.15365/joce.0904022013
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