AGED 6223

PLANNING AND EVALUATION
OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN AGRICULTURE

SUBJECT: CG99-45

1. Educational Objectives: Are they clearly defined and do they relate directly to the project objectives?

The educational objectives are well defined and relate to the project objectives directly. However, evaluation of two educational products was not specifically identified in the evaluation plan. The slide show or video on prairie seed production and marketing and the manual: Prairie Seed Production Handbook were not included. It is assumed they would be used at the field days and evaluated through the field day evaluations, however, they could also be used by Cooperative Extension and libraries. The number of viewing or checkouts could easily be measured and a separate evaluation sheet could be sent with them to get viewer or reader feedback.

2. Criteria: does the evaluation clearly state the standards against which the program will be judged? Are the criteria realistic?

The criteria are clearly stated and realistic. It is assumed that pre- and post-tests will be given for objectives #2 and #3. the tests would need to be seen to determine if the criteria are totally realistic.

3. Data collection: Will the type of data collected for the project be appropriate? Is data source (records, persons, etc.) identified and accessible?

The data collected is identified, accessible and appropriate with the exception of the tests and the measures of slide set, video or manual use.

4. Time Frame and Persons Responsible: Is the time frame realistic?

The time frames and persons responsible are realistic except for the two products omitted, slides or video and handbook.

5. Using Your Evaluation Results: Is it clear how they intend to use and benefit form the evaluation? Is there evidence they will benefit form the evaluation beyond the requirements for this proposal?

Clear questions were raised concerning the use of the evaluation results. Specific uses and stakeholder groups using the data could have been spelled out clearer. However, they followed the example in "Educational Program Evaluation" explicitly. The example could spell out more clearly the uses and stakeholders. The example uses an asterisked note to indicate stakeholders (collaborators).

6. Overall Rating: Assign a ranking indicating the evaluation plan's probability for successful implementation and use of results. Choice is underlined.