Factors Associated with Tennessee County Extension Agent Dairy Educational Program Effectiveness. A Research Summary Graduate Study.

A study was conducted to determine the association between county Extension agent effectiveness in conducting a dairy educational program and agent knowledge in dairying and related subjects. A secondary purpose was to determine the association of agent effectiveness scores and knowledge scores with selected independent variables classified in four subgroups--agent background and training, agent interest and attitudes, county situation, and work-related factors. Data were collected from 41 agents. Effectiveness ratings were determined by supervisory personnel and dairy specialists. A multiple-choice test was used to measure dairying knowledge and related subject matter, and an interest and attitude scale gave other measures. Among the findings from the testing of hypotheses were: (1) effectiveness ratings and knowledge test scores were inversely related to tenure; (2) more effective agents spent more time on group and mass media teaching methods and made more contacts with dairymen; and (3) more effective agents involved dairy specialists more frequently in their dairy educational work. Multiple correlations analysis indicated the most accurate predictors of effectiveness ratings and agent test scores. (Author/KM)