ERIC Number: EJ1092526
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Feb
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1077-5315
EISSN: N/A
Program Theory and Quality Matter: Changing the Course of Extension Program Evaluation
Arnold, Mary E.; Cater, Melissa
Journal of Extension, v54 n1 Article 1FEA1 Feb 2016
As internal evaluators for the 4-H program in two states, we simultaneously yet independently began to change the way we approached our evaluation practices, turning from evaluation capacity building (ECB) efforts that prepared educators to define and measure program outcomes to strategies that engage educators in defining and measuring program quality. In this article, we discuss our similar experiences, how these experiences are changing the ECB work we do, and how changing our evaluation approach ultimately will position 4-H for better evaluations in the future. This shift in evaluation focus has implications for other Extension program areas as well.
Descriptors: Educational Theories, Educational Quality, Program Evaluation, Program Effectiveness, Educational Change, Extension Agents, Extension Education, Learning Experience, Educational Practices, Educational Objectives, Educational Strategies, Youth Programs
Extension Journal, Inc. e-mail: joe-ed@joe.org; Web site: http://www.joe.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A