ERIC Number: EJ1458848
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2325-4009
EISSN: EISSN-2325-4017
Importance of the Access, Equity, and Opportunity Competencies among 4-H Professionals
Matt Benge; Jeff W. Howard
Journal of Youth Development, v17 n3 Article 8 p118-137 2022
The 4-H Professional Research, Knowledge and Competencies (PRKC) is a professional development framework that can be used to identify competency gaps and training needs of 4-H professionals. The PRKC consists of 6 competency domains, 1 being access, equity, and opportunity (AEO). A tailored design method was used to gather data and sort the respondents between rural and urban community type. 4-H Extension agents serving urban communities perceived 12 out of the 14 AEO domain components as more important than agents serving rural communities did. The 2 AEO domain components that were not significantly different in perceived importance were values, norms, and practices and active listening. An essential element of the 4-H experience must include creating an environment where children and youth feel safe, included, and that they belong. The differences among 4-H youth development professionals' perceptions of the importance of the AEO domain components, based on their work location, warrants further review. Implications of this information could influence the competencies that Extension systems look for in hiring. Furthermore, educational workshops and trainings around AEO for existing youth workers may need to be evolved.
Descriptors: Youth Programs, Extension Education, Extension Agents, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Urban Extension, Rural Urban Differences, Professional Development, Access to Education, Teacher Competencies
Clemson University Press. 116 Sigma Drive, Clemson, SC 29634. Tel: 864-656-2278; e-mail: cupress@clemson.edu; Web site: www.clemson.edu/press
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A