Evaluation in Extension Education

Extension Evaluation

• Extension is an educational process aimed at bringing about desirable changes in people's behavior, contributing to better farm and home practices, and better family living.

Definition of Evaluation

• Evaluation is the process of determining the extent to which desired behavioral changes have been accomplished in ways of thinking, feeling, and acting.
• It involves appraising carefully to determine effectiveness, clarify what is being done, and how it is done.

Types of Evaluation

• Formative evaluation: conducted during a program to identify strengths or weaknesses and enhance quality and effectiveness.
• Summative evaluation: conducted at the end of a program to determine impact and future decisions.
• Evaluation can be classified into three categories based on use of findings: judgment-oriented, improvement-oriented, and knowledge-oriented.

Benefits of Evaluation

• Makes it necessary to state clearly program objectives and plan carefully.
• Reveals program strengths and weaknesses, helping to improve the program.
• Provides a critical view of the ongoing program, making the extension worker aware of any need for improvement.
• Provides objective evidence and reliable information to justify financial support.
• Gives extension personnel satisfaction by knowing the extent of achievement.

Scope of Evaluation

• Degrees of evaluation range from casual everyday observations and informal inquiries to systematic and formal investigations.
• Everyday observation involves planned observation of daily activities, providing an impression that can guide the work.
• Informal studies involve reviewing and analyzing information from records, annual reports, and other sources.
• Formal studies are scientifically planned to provide objective information.

Principles of Effective Evaluation

• Evaluation should be well-planned and clearly defined in scope.
• Extension personnel should take part in evaluation, combining self-appraisal with outside appraisal.
• Everyday evaluation should be continuous and integrated with the program development process.
• Reliable and effective devices should be used, with a representative sample chosen.
• Evaluation should focus on achieving behavioral changes rather than just numbers.

Planning and Conducting an Evaluation Study

• Essential steps include selecting a problem, formulating what to measure, determining the kind of information needed, and deciding how to collect and use the information.
• Guidelines for planning and conducting evaluation include:
  • Determining available resources and needed cooperation.
  • Selecting and defining a part of the program to study.
  • Defining and clarifying objectives.
  • Deciding on how to collect information and what devices are needed.
  • Planning tabulation and determining samples.