A brief history of approaches to religious education in Catholic schools

Religious education within Catholic schools is concerned with promoting the personal faith development of the students. Various catechetical approaches to religious education in Catholic schools have contributed to the saving mission of the Church. A brief chronological outline of several approaches provides a reference point by which religious educators can understand the significant influences underpinning the delivery of curriculum in religious education. The author discusses the following approaches: the doctrinal approach; the kerygmatic approach; the life-experience approach; shared Christian praxis; the phenomenological approach; the typological approach; and the outcomes- based educational approach.