POW Title: Youth Development

Cooperative Extension in Pennsylvania has a proven record of programs to help youth become productive, contributing members of society and leaders of tomorrow. Youth development is the process of growing up and developing one’s capacities in positive ways; typically in the context of the family, the peer group, the school, and the neighborhood or community. There is a greater recognition that "it takes a village to raise a child."

Many youth do not have the opportunity to experience enough positive stimulation for personal growth or nurturing support from family, friends, and community. In Pennsylvania, the rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide, for example, has increased by 9 percent in the 10 years from 1985 to 1995. During those same years, the teen birth rate has increased by 4 percent, the juvenile violent crime arrest rate by over 100 percent and the percent of teens who become high school dropouts by nearly a third.

Cooperative Extension youth development programs focus on educational programming having three objectives:

1. Life skill development through opportunities that teach interaction and coping skills, teach decision-making skills, sharpen communication skills, teach leadership skills, encourage critical thinking, develop self-confidence, and enhance an individual’s self-esteem.

2. Provide experiences that allow youth to acquire knowledge and then apply knowledge gained in everyday life experiences, and

3. Develop leadership (both adult and youth) in order to see that the first two objectives can effectively occur.

Collectively, the three objectives provide youth with experiences and skills necessary to adapt to and cope with challenges they may face as young people today and as contributing adults in the future.

With the population of Pennsylvania becoming increasingly diverse, family structures changing, and technology creating a greater disparity between those with access and those without, our challenge is even greater. Experiential methods of learning long used in informal youth development education, such as 4-H, emphasize exploration and critical thinking and focus on sharing, processing, analyzing and applying the knowledge and skills gained. These methods have stood the test of time.

As emerging issues are identified through new scientific discoveries, information, and issues, curricula will must be developed to address those needs. There may be other methods and approaches that need to be explored to reach new and larger audiences as well.

Youth and adults need inspiring curriculum, programs and training to reach these objectives and to foster the personal growth and the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to meet new challenges in their lives.

SUB POW: 5.D.1. Promoting and Enhancing Youth Development through Animal Science and Embryology

Objective: 5.D.1.1. As a result of their participation in animal science programs, including embryology, youth will:

• increase their subject matter knowledge and demonstrate at least three subject matter skills annually, and
• develop and practice at least three life skills annually such as record-keeping, communications, decision making, marketing, and problem solving.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of youth enrolled in an educational experience.
  2. Number of youth completing an educational experience.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth participating in educational experiences at the county, state, or national levels such as bowls, skillathons, clinics, forums, judging experiences, etc.

Objective: 5.D.1.2. As a result of their participation in educational experiences such as roundups, shows, and marketing experiences, youth will learn and practice:

• decision-making skills as they select and exhibit project animals
• principles of ethics and sportsmanship, and principles of quality assurance in raising and marketing animals.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of youth participating in roundups and shows.
  2. Number of youth completing quality assurance, ethics, and sportsmanship educational experiences.

SUB POW: 5.D.2. Promoting and Enhancing Youth Development through the Plant Sciences

Objective: 5.D.2.1. As a result of their participation in the plant sciences program, youth will:

• increase their subject matter knowledge and demonstrate at least three subject matter skills annually, and
• develop and practice at least three life skills annually such as record-keeping, communications, decision making, marketing, and problem solving.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of youth enrolled in an educational experience.
  2. Number of youth completing an educational experience.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth participating in educational experiences at the county, state, or national levels such as bowls, skillathons, clinics, forums, judging experiences, etc.

Objective: 5.D.2.2. As a result of their participation in educational experiences such as roundups, shows, and marketing experiences, youth will learn and practice:

• decision-making skills as they select and exhibit project animals
• principles of ethics and sportsmanship, and
• principles of quality assurance in raising food and decorative plants.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of youth participating in roundups and shows.
2. Number of youth completing quality assurance or ethics and sportsmanship educational experiences.

SUB POW: 5.D.3: Promoting and Enhancing Youth Development through Family and Consumer Sciences

Objective: 5.D.3.1. As a result of their participation in family living programs, youth will…

• increase their subject matter knowledge and demonstrate at least three subject matter skills annually, and
• develop and practice at least three life skills annually, such as record keeping, communications, decision making, marketing, and problem solving.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of youth enrolled in an educational experience.
  2. Number of youth completing an educational experience.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth participating in educational experiences at county, state or national levels such as bowls, skillathons, revues, judging experiences.

Objective: 5.D.3.2. As a result of their participation in such experiences such as demonstrations, exhibits and contests, youth will learn and practice:

• decision-making and planning skills as they select and exhibit project materials
• personal relations skills as they work with family members and friends
• principles of design and quality standards as outlined in the curricula materials.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of youth participating in demonstrations, exhibits, and contests.
  2. Number of youth completing quality assurance/skills checklists.

Objective: 5.D.4.1. As a result of their participation in natural resource educational experiences, youth will:

• increase their subject matter knowledge and demonstrate at least three subject matter annually, and
• develop and practice at least three life skills annually, such as record keeping, communications, decision making, management, and problem solving.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of youth enrolled in an educational experience.
  2. Number of youth completing an educational experience.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth participating in educational experiences at county, state or national levels such as bowls, skillathons, clinics, judging experiences, etc.

Objective: 5.D.4.2. As a result of their participation in experiences such as demonstrations, exhibits, contests, and management experiences, youth will learn and practice:

• decision-making and planning skills as they select and exhibit project materials
• personal relations skills as they work with family members and friends
• principles of ecology and management as outlined in the curricula materials.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of youth participating in demonstrations, exhibits and contests.
  2. Number of youth completing ecology or management educational experiences.

(Includes Entomology, Rocketry, Weather, Electricity, Woodworking, Small Engines, and other 4-H projects with an emphasis on science skills development.)

Objective: 5.D.5.1. As a result of their participation in the applied science and technology program, youth will:

• increase their subject matter knowledge and demonstrate at least three subject matter skills annually, and
• develop and practice at least three life skills annually such as record keeping, communication, decision making, marketing and problem solving.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of youth enrolled in an educational experience.
  2. Number of youth completing an educational experience.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth participating in educational experiences at the county, state, or national level such as bowls, skillathons, clinics, forums, judging experiences, etc.

Objective: 5.D.5.2. As a result of their participation in educational experiences such as roundups, shows and marketing experiences, youth will learn and practice:

• principles of ethics and sportsmanship, and
• principles of quality assurance or ethics and sportsmanship educational experiences.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of youth participating in roundups or shows.
  2. Number of youth completing ethics or sportsmanship educational experiences.

Objective: 5.D.5.3. As a result of participation in the applied science and technology program, youth will:

• develop and practice the following skills that are necessary to conduct a scientific inquiry and can be used in all science disciplines: Observing, Communicating, Comparing and Measuring, Ordering, Categorizing, Relating, Inferring, Applying, and
• be able to name, describe and practice the Steps of the Scientific Method:
  • Identify the problem
  • Form a hypothesis
  • Conduct an experiment
  • Gather data
  • Record the results
  • Draw a conclusion
  • Prove or disprove the hypothesis
  • Communicate what has been learned.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of youth participating in program.
  2. Number of youth conducting an experiment utilizing the Scientific Method.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth able to name and describe the "Steps of the Scientific Method".

SUB POW: 5.D.6. Promoting and Enhancing Youth Development through Leisure Education and Outdoor Skills

Objective: 5.D.6.1. As a result of their participation in leisure education and outdoor skills, youth will:

• increase their subject matter knowledge and demonstrate at least three subject matter skills annually, and
• develop and practice at least three life skills annually such as record-keeping, communications, decision making, and problem solving.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of youth enrolled in an educational experience.
  2. Number of youth completing an educational experience.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth participating in educational experiences at the county, state, or national level such as skillathons, clinics, or forums.

Objective: 5.D.6.2. As a result of their participation in educational experiences such as roundups, shows, and competitive events, youth will annually learn and practice:

• decision-making skills as they plan exhibits
• principles of ethics and sportsmanship, and
• competition standards related to their project.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of youth participating in roundups, shows and competitive events.
  2. Number of youth completing educational experiences on ethics and sportsmanship.

SUB POW: 5.D.7. Promoting and Enhancing Youth Development through Personal Development, Cultural Competency, and Citizenship

Objective: 5.D.7.1. As a result of participation in diversity education programs, youth will increase cultural competence.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of youth participating in program.
2. Number of youth who identify ways in which people differ from one another - dimensions of diversity.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth who recognize similarities and differences that exist among people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and group in the United States.
4. Number of youth who distinguish between stereotypes and facts related to diverse groups and populations.

Objective: 5.D.7.2. As a result of participation in cultural education programs and curricula, youth will increase their understanding of cross-cultural and global awareness.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of youth in the program.
2. Number of youth who can identify cultural values, behaviors, and practices of people.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth participating in intra-state, inter-state and international exchange programs

Objective: 5.D.7.3. As a result of participation in character education programs, youth will increase positive character development.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of youth participating in program.
2. Number of youth completing a character education experience.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth who name the pillars of character.
4. Number of youth who can identify decisions made on the pillars of character.

Objective: 5.D.7.4. As a result of participation in conflict resolution programs, youth will increase their skills in problem-solving and conflict resolution.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of youth participating in program.
2. Number of youth who identify steps for effective conflict resolution.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth who distinguish between productive and unproductive approaches to problem solving.
4. Number of youth who identify techniques to constructively solve a personal conflict.

Objective: 5.D.7.5. As a result of participation in personal development programs, youth will experience an increased level of self-esteem.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of youth participating in program.
2. Number of youth who can list several qualities that are unique to themselves.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth who can list a variety of groups to which he/she belongs, and identify the expectations and responsibilities of membership in each group.
4. Number of youth who can identify personal standards or ideals.
5. Number of youth who can identify causes for personal success and failures, and describe ways to personally cope with success and failure.
6. Number of youth who list personal strengths that contribute to their feelings of self-worth.
7. Number of youth who name long-term goals that are based on their personal strengths.

Objective: 5.D.7.6. As a result of participation in citizenship education programs, youth will develop an increased understanding of the government and the role of a productive citizen in this country.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of youth participating in program.
2. Number of youth who can name and describe the three branches of state and federal government (executive, legislative, judicial).

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth who can name their state and federal senator and representative.
4. Number of youth who can distinguish between local, state, and federal government issues.
5. Number of youth who can describe their role and responsibilities as a citizen.
6. Number of youth who can describe the role of public-funding agencies in addressing the needs of people.
7. Number of youth who develop an effective (fictitious) grant proposal to a state agency.
8. Number of youth who identify the preparation needed for pursuit of a career in government, politics, or public service.
9. Number of youth who participate in educational experiences at the county, state, or national level such as 4-H Capitol Days, Citizenship Washington Focus, and visits to their state or federal Senator or Representative

Objective: 5.D.7.7. As a result of participation in citizenship education programs, youth will gain an increased understanding of community service.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of youth participating in program.
2. Number of youth who serve as a community volunteer.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of clubs involved in a community service project.
4. Number of youth who can identify ways that individuals and groups can make improvements in the lives of others.

SUB POW: 5.D.8. Promoting and Enhancing Youth Development through participation in Cloverbud curriculum activities.

Objective: 5.D.8.1. As a result of their participation in Cloverbuds, youth ages 5-8 will:

* increase their knowledge of the 4-H program
* increase their subject matter knowledge by participating in developmentally-appropriate educational activities related to 4-H curriculum areas
* develop and practice at least one life skill annually such as decision-making, communication, helping others, sharing, resolving conflicts, interacting socially, developing self-esteem, being responsible, and learning to learn.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of youth enrolled in a Cloverbud club.
2. Number of youth using Cloverbud curriculum in non-club settings such as families, after-school, child care, other youth-serving agencies, or other educational settings.

(The 4-H youth leadership section has been incorporated into POW 5.E.)

SUB POW: 5.D.9. Promoting and Enhancing Youth Development through interaction in science and technology programs.

Objective: 5.D.9.1. As a result of their participation in technology based programs, youth will:

* increase their marketable skills (especially those related to information sciences and technology)
* increase their social skills
* increase awareness of the relevance of math, science and information technology to everyday lives.
* provide access to quality IT resources.
* use online courseware, introduce information technology in an age appropriate manner on life skills, math, science and technology.
* increase their awareness of science and technology careers.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of youth participating in technology based programs.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

2. Percentage of youth enrolled in the program that significantly increase their knowledge and use of technology.
3. Percentage of youth enrolled in the program that significantly improve their academic skills related to math and science.
4. Percentage of youth enrolled in the program that significantly increase their sense of making a difference in the community.
5. Percentage of youth enrolled in the program that significantly increase their connection to their community.

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