Date of Graduation

1988

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of 4-H educational activities on West Virginia participants in the National 4-H Awards Program from 1967-1980. Usefulness of skills/knowledge acquired by participants and impact of participation on occupational statuses and personal lives of awards winners were also studied. The descriptive method of research using the inquiry technique was utilized. Information was obtained from 286 alumni who were state winners in the National 4-H Awards Program. Statistical procedures used for analyzing data were number and percent distributions, chi-square, analysis of variance, and forward selection regression. It was found that participants' perceptions of importance of knowledge/skills acquired are not influenced by gender except in two areas: Home Economics/Health and Natural Resources/Plant Sciences. As educational levels increase, perceived importance of knowledge/skills acquired in Home Economics/Health, Natural Resources/Plant Sciences, and Safety/Mechanical Sciences areas decrease with regard to participants' jobs. This was also true in the Home Economics/Health areas with respect to participants' personal lives. Perceptions of usefulness of leadership experiences in current jobs increase as educational levels increase. Personal Development experiences were perceived to be less useful in personal lives as participants' educational levels increase. Perceptions of usefulness of knowledge/skills learned were not related to year participant was selected as a state winner, area in which state title was won, whether participant was a national winner, nor years of membership. Gender and age upon initial enrollment and continued membership were independent of persons who influenced the decision to enroll and remain in 4-H. Being a club officer did not influence perceptions of usefulness of knowledge/skills acquired in 4-H in participants' occupations or personal lives. Having been a junior/teen leader positively influenced perceptions of the value of knowledge acquired in the Communications program area in current jobs of participants. Further, Personal Development experiences were perceived positively in participants' personal lives. It was concluded that Extension must develop effective methods of evaluation and accountability to determine programming which will promote successful recruiting and provide opportunities to prepare youth to become productive adults.

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