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4-H Program Evaluations

Program Contact: Program Contact: Family & Human Development Extension Educator
(509) 667-6540 • viebrock@wsu.edu

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Program Evaluations

 

In 2021, with updates to procedures and technologies, some of the 4-H Challenge programs will be piloting an evaluation that enables us to look more precisely in how program are impacting youth and to what their experiences mean for them.

Tentative plans for the implementation the THRIVE instrument: WSU Associate Professor Stephanie Roeter Smith will evaluate 4HES short and long-term outcomes using a mixed-method evaluation design. Immediate program outcomes will be assessed through surveys collected from participants at baseline (program day 1), midway point (mid-school year), and post-test (end of year), and long-term outcomes assessed 6 months later examining outcome retention and impacts. Youth developmental outcomes will include measures of positive growth mindset, open mindedness, hopefulness, and prosocial orientation using the Arnold & Gagnon’s (2018) validated THRIVE program evaluation model, along with module content mastery assessments developed in conjunction with the program developers. To improve survey response rates, youth will be compensated $2 per survey completed, for a total of $8.  Qualtrics surveys will be used on classroom computers if/when programming is allowed in-person, or on personal devices if working remotely, particularly at the 6-month follow up assessment. SPSS statistical software will be used to analyze data for general program impacts at each assessment point, as well as individual trajectories of change.

More information here.

we are currently in transition between evaluative instruments.

The 4-H Challenge program uses the 4-H Common Measures 2.0, to describe a youths’ experiences, evaluate 4-H programming and inform professional development practices. It is designed for youth in grades 4 through 12 who have participated for at least 6 hours of program time. Students voluntarily opt-in to participate in the survey, which is administered at the conclusion of the school year and summer 4-H Challenge related programs, projects or grants.

The instruments selected for this evaluation are made up of separate modules: Demographics, 4-H Experience, Healthy Living: Physical Activity, Science, and Citizenship. Combining these modules into a set of self-report surveys allows us to reach our goals of evaluating 4-H programming, informing program improvement efforts and addressing overall program impact.

2018 is the first year that the Chelan Douglas County Extension 4-H Challenge program will implement this evaluation in measuring student growth in citizenship, science and healthy living. Collecting information regarding the demographics of participating youth and their 4-H experiences will give us opportunity to reflect and make informed decisions to the populations and service areas we employ 4-H Challenge within Chelan and Douglas Counties. Beyond Common Measures, efforts are taken to assess effectiveness in participant lives. Observations are collected in what students are doing with their lives as a result of their participation and feedback from parents, teachers and counselors helps determine positive behavior changes.

In their own words…

According to his case director, since participating in the Challenge Program Juan, a 7th grader from Children’s Home Society, has expressed a greater desire to improve his grades and curb his behavioral problems, and regularly talks about wanting to go back to the Challenge Course.  

6th grade teacher, Shannon Fouler, expressed amazement as she observed Maria, a hard working but very shy Hispanic girl, repeatedly step into major leadership roles throughout their day on the low challenge course. 

A high school student in the 4-H Forestry Ed. program, summed up her challenge course experience saying, “I have learned a lot about teamwork, respect and about my body.  I did things I thought we would not be able to achieve, made great friends in just days and learned that I was capable of so much more than I ever thought before.  I did not expect to be called a good leader.  It made me feel so good about myself and really helped my self-image.  I would recommend this program to everyone.  It was incredible.”

For more information about the 4-H Challenge program and our Evaluation System, please visit the https://4-h.org/professionals/common-measures/ website.