Assessments of schools and community agencies with teen pregnancy prevention programs (n=23) in three California counties were conducted using surveys, interviews, and site visits. Best practices identified included youth development programs, Involvement of family and other caring adults, and culturally appropriate and locally relevant…

Evaluation data about extension programs are subject to variation. Program improvement requires control of this variance. Statistical quality control charts provide a means of measuring variation, determining sources, and making modifications. (SK)

An extension program, Building Nebraska Families, works with Employment First families, Nebraska's welfare reform program, to teach family management and life skills using an individualized, flexible curriculum to help families make successful transitions from welfare to work. Evaluation strategies include an entry/exit behavior checklist and…

Responses from 47 of 78 Clemson University extension specialists identified three critical professional development needs: communicating program impact to key decision makers, communicating client problems to researchers, and viewing problems from different perspectives. They felt that their expertise in other areas was high. (Contains 16…

The more adult educators understand about motivation and the forces that affect it, the better their chances of helping adults attain learning objectives. Program planning partly involves applying leverage or extrinsic pressure on the forces for growth and safety inherent in every learning situation to bring about learning and change. (Author)

This study focusses on finding out how leaders in three small communities view Extension. The results show that community leaders see the importance of Extension primarily as it contributes to the economic development of their communities. The author discusses implication for Extension and outlines some strategies for working with community…

The author lists four goals in teaching marketing to farmers: Change the farmers' attitudes about marketing; encourage them to plan their marketing and integrate it with the production, financing, and risk-bearing aspects of their business; get their marketing into a decision-making context; and help them monitor their progress. (CT)

Describes a study conducted to determine if extension agents could expand their audience through a series of statewide on-farm meetings. The study also sought to determine if the on-farm approach would result in adoption of recommended mastitis control practices. Results are presented and discussed. (CT)

Special Urban Issue. Results of questionnaire sent to Extension administrators at land-grant universities on nature, status, and models of urban-focused university extension programs. (DS)

Explains how the authors designed and taught a course dealing with special problems faced by extension specialists in assessing needs and determining program priorities. The authors believe that inservice education dealing with these areas is needed, appropriate, and would be attended by extension specialists. (CT)

Criteria for usefulness of evaluative information have changed and this means the model of evaluation used by extension must meet the new criteria. Evaluation research is now considered the legitimate model for evaluation; it can aid decision makers by providing data for making unpopular decisions. (LRA)

Explains Family Systems Theory and its application in extension programs. Discusses understanding the family as a system, teaching family life education to whole families, and making the impact of changed behavior clear to the individuals. (JOW)

Compared to 10 controls, pregnant or parenting teens (n=60) who attended nutrition workshops significantly increased their knowledge; 87% reported improvements in nutrition behavior. There were no significant improvements in dietary intake, possibly due to lack of control of food purchasing and preparation or lack of readiness to change. (SK)

The 4-H classroom science program model includes experiential materials, school-community partnership, orientation workshops, and ongoing support from extension. Evaluation results suggest that partner expectations must be clearer and communication between teachers and community partners is crucial. (SK)

A research review identified four factors other than knowledge that influence decisions regarding healthful behaviors: perceptions of risks, perceptions of self, physical and social environment, and perceptions of costs and benefits of recommended behavior. Findings were used to develop guidelines for messages and programs designed to encourage…