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Extension educators provide educational programs for diverse audiences in a variety of learning environments. While pre-defined lesson series offer greater opportunity to demonstrate measurable outcomes, educators need flexibility to teach programs in settings that vary from the requirements set by the curriculum. Fewer sessions or one-time lessons may be more practical in certain situations.  

While developing a new program, the WVU Extension Financial Literacy Education Team reviewed curricula to select a research-based, peer-reviewed curriculum, which provided flexible program delivery options. The Team was committed to creating a program evaluation tool that would establish a flexible evaluation process that allows educators to customize the program for unique circumstances without compromising the integrity of program outcome data. 

The Financial Literacy Team trained WVU Extension faculty and staff in a one-stop-shop evaluation hub that allows them to build an evaluation tool that fits their unique needs based on three assessments – pretest, posttest1, and posttest2. Educators customize the tool based on two criteria: the program module(s) presented and the audience (youth, adult). The evaluation and reporting session introduced trainees to the anticipated outcomes and indicators, overarching evaluation goal, and the three assessment tools. Educators were trained to choose the appropriate questions and conducted practice activities with each audience type. Extension Educators collect and report the evaluation data for each program. Data is compiled and is available annually for county and statewide reporting.  

Since its creation, at least one other program within WVU Extension has replicated this type of program evaluation. This evaluation approach is applicable to a variety of Extension programs, increasing the opportunity for flexibility in program delivery while capturing comprehensive evaluation outcomes.