TCU Assessment: Process for Seeking Deeper Understanding

Lisa A. Guion, Ed.D.Professor of Agricultural and Extension

EducationState Leader for Program Development for

ExtensionNC State University, Raleigh, NC

PLANNING

Intense Planning Was Required

Several conference calls with the NPL’s to discuss the project and process to be used to implement itDocument Review- read lots of reports and other documents to provide background informationLiterature Review- read scholarly publications to learn more about conducting indigenous assessments

Planning Continued

Developed methodology for the assessment that was reviewed and approved by NPL’s (qualitative)

-Focus Group & InterviewingDeveloped implementation plan and timeline along with NPL’s

-Regional focus group, Telephone Interviewing & Interviewing at FALCON Developed questions to focus the assessment that were revised and approved by NPL’s

IMPLEMENTATION

Action: Gathering Information

Guiding Principles

Confidentiality

Respect

Relationship

Reciprocity

Two Focus Group Sessions Held

Coordinated focus groups (Thanks John)Stone Child College (Thanks Mary Ruth)Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (Thanks Joan)Total of 20 individuals participated from 9 different TCU’s (Thanks participants)

Overview of Focus Group Questions

The general questions assess:Views on the NIFA/TCU partnership Outlook on partnership between 1994, 1890 and 1862 Land-grant InstitutionsOpinions on partnership between TCU’s in the stateViews on partnership between research, teaching and extension at individual’s TCUExamine what weakens partnership and what can strengthen it (what NIFA can do and TCU’s can do)

Overview of Focus Group Questions Related to 4 Grant Programs

For all 4 programs, questions assess:View of the grant programRFA (e.g. priority issues, culturally relevant)Barriers in policies or procedures & recommendationsWhether additional support what needed and what type specificallySpecific professional development needs

*There were also questions that were unique to each grant program

Organization of the Questions

Designed to glean as much from your wisdom, insights, perspectives and experiences in the limited time (one day for focus group, one for interview)

Flow of questions- each question built upon the prior to get a more comprehensive understanding

Focus Group Sessions

Appreciated the opening prayer from the Elders at each site

Very engaging, open discussion

Very productive full day (9ish – 4pm)

I learned a lot and look forward to learning more

One-on-One Interviewing

Purpose is to gather more information

No telephone interviews

Face to Face here at FALCON

Interview Schedule and Sign Up Process

Synthesize this data with focus group data

Analysis

Data Source Triangulation- search for themes and patterns in comments among different individuals

Methodological Triangulation- use different methods to verify, validate, clarify and/or expand upon themes and patterns

Validity-Findings accurately reflecting themes/patterns

Utility- Strategies and recommendations

Written Report

Due December 31, 2009Some reports end up on the shelf or in a box collecting dust

NOT THIS ONE! I do believe there is commitment! Stimulate more dialog.

“If you don’t know where you are going, any place will do.”