Getting to the Bottom Line: How Using Evaluation Results to Enhance Extension Programs can Lead to Greater Levels of Accountability

Abstract

Extension has enhanced the lives of U.S. citizens through adult education in a myriad of ways. However, as budgets get tighter, accountability becomes increasingly more important. Over the years, Extension has reported low level impacts rather than the long-term successes that those working within the system know are occurring. Without enhanced evaluation-driven environments, Extension systems will continue to inadequately report programmatic successes, resulting in a lower perceived public value of Extension programs. The use of evaluation can create an atmosphere which encourages organizational thinking resulting in the types of accountability reports which are adequate for decision making. This study examined how Extension professionals' perceptions of evaluation use related to their evaluation behaviors. The findings suggest a substantial percentage of Extension professionals are doing just enough evaluation to complete mandatory reports. It also showed that Extension professionals who valued their own personal use, but not necessarily organizational use of their evaluations, were more likely to conduct in-depth evaluations. Recommendations for enhancing evaluation driven work environments include clearer communication from administration demonstrating the value of evaluation beyond the role it plays in accountability and working directly with Extension professionals to promote evaluation-oriented conversations rather than just delivering state-led in-service trainings.

Program Evaluation Competencies of Extension Professionals: Implications for Continuing Professional Development

“…Professionals with more experience have perhaps been collecting and using evaluation data for some time and need assistance interpreting and reporting on data they already have, while less experienced individuals need help collecting new information and worry less about what to do with it once in hand. This supports the work of Lamm, Israel, and Harder (2011) who found that extension professionals who valued their own personal use of evaluation data were more likely to conduct in-depth evaluations.…”

The Community Diagnostics and Social Impact Toolkit: Development and Validation of a Reliable Measure

“…Combined with public health data, for example, such an instrument can ensure that a community focuses on existing or accessible resources to address health-related issues such as opioid addiction. From an evaluation perspective, impact data can provide needed insights into the value of programmatic efforts (Lamm et al, 2011).…”

Identifying Extension Agent Needs Associated with Communicating about Policies and Regulations

“…The Extension Service has established more than a century of unique service valued for objective and unbiased information (Beaulieu & Cordes, 2014;Comer, Campbell, Edwards, & Hillison, 2006). Functioning as a bridge between science and the real-world, Extension's history reflects constructive problem solving and progressive education on research and other university efforts (Hamilton, Chen, Pillemer, & Meador, 2013;Harder, Israel, & Lamm, 2011;Jacob, 2013;Rasmussen, 1989;Rogers, 2003). Despite success in the past, Extension today faces challenges in funding, rapidly advancing technology, changing client needs and demographics, and controversial topics including public policy (Blewett, Keim, Leser, & Jones, 2008;Ladewig & Rohs, 2000;Raison, 2014;Scheer, Harder, & Place, 2011).…”