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Connecting University and County Resources to
Answer:
What difference are we making?
How can we continuously improve?
Evaluation is part of our work
Counties have access to campus-based evaluation resources reflection, learning, accountability sample of projects/initiatives
Evaluation has value to educators, county boards, volunteers, youth, residents of WI
Our focus today is the Arts and Communication Program and its evaluation
What did we do?
Worked as a team: state specialists, county educators, youth participants
Reviewed the research Planned the evaluation Collected data: survey of 724 youth
around the state; focus groups and interviews with 41 youth, 19 alumni, 22 parents
Analyzed, interpreted, reported results
Club-based Project Activities
County Events: Fairs and Festivals
District and State Educational Events
State Teams
Sense of belonging• ConnectednessMastery • Communication skills• Problem solving skills• Decision making skills• Ability to work in teams• Creativity• Technical skills Independence• Self-esteem• Self-confidence• Self-determination• Career explorationGenerosity Civic engagement
Youth attain mature social roles and fulfill individual potential
Activity/Participation Short and Medium Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes
Theory of action – Logic Model
What did we find??
Highest gains in Mastery and Independence
Mastery
Technical skills related to arts and communications
Creativity Communication skills Ability to relate to others/work in
team
Problem solving skillsDecision making skills
Independence
Self-determination Self-esteem Self-confidence
Career exploration
Sense of Belonging
Connectedness Increased connections to adults
and peers Building networks in the
community
Civic engagement Helping younger members Build self-esteem, reinforce skills,
and gain confidence.
Gift giving
Generosity
Individual Youth Perspective on Impact
Elements of Youth Development
Skills
UNIQUENESS OF THE 4-H ARTS AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAM
Youth interact with new and different people.
4-H provides more choice and freedom in creativity and expression as compared to school programs.
4-H is a comfortable environment for exploring and developing creativity, self-confidence and leadership.
Mastery focus encourages youth to pursue interests and skills in depth.
CRITICAL PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS
VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES: Choices facilitated exploration, finding activities that fit, and expression.
VOLUNTEER LEADERS: Relationships and support encouraged youth to stay engaged and improve their work year after year.
ACCESSIBILITY: Common entry point to 4-H, often with support and materials not available elsewhere.
SUPPORTIVE CLIMATE: Atmosphere provided by peers and leaders encourages risk-taking and learning.
CRITICAL PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS
PUBLIC EVENTS: COUNTY FAIRS AND FESTIVALS: Opportunities for feedback and public performance are motivating.
MIXED AGES - SCAFFOLDING OF OPPORTUNITIES: Youth can see how to move up to project leadership, county and state events and teams.
SELF DETERMINATION AND VOICE: Making decisions about their work builds confidence and motivation and a sense of ownership.
STATE TEAMS: Intensive experience in teamwork and creativity motivates older youth to stay involved.
Youth Involvement in Evaluation
Value of youth participation in evaluation Program Improvement—giving and
getting feedback on our work (as staff, adult and youth volunteers)
Youth involvement—decision-making about programs
Building skills—critical thinking and reflective practice
What is the value of all this?
Youth leadership Connection of university with
counties Accountability Program improvement
Stimulate reflection Understand best practice Share practices across system
Marketing and access to youth across Wisconsin