Defining Quality 4H Curriculum

1
Defining Quality 4-H Curriculum

• Experiential-content is organized along an
  experiential path
• Non-formal learning is supported by trained
  facilitator
• Content and youth development context are equally
  important
• Content and abilities are both emphasized and
  linked to established standards
• Curriculum activities and content are appropriate
  for targeted youth population and intended
  delivery method
• Objectives can be met and measured
• Personal and social skills are taught/emphasized
• Curriculum is research and/or evidence-based
• Curriculum is fun and engages youth

2
Standards and Curriculum Development

• Quality curriculum is linked to a set of
  established standards that consider content and
  abilities
• Financial Champions, Reading Makes Cents
  Curricula
• Jumptart Coalition for Financial Literacy
• National Reading Association
• PA Cloverbuds Literacy Curriculum
• National Reading Association

3
4-H Curriculum and Positive Youth
Outcomes

• Impact of After-School Programs that Promote
  Personal and Social Skills (Durlak and Weissberg,
  2007)
• Programs that provide
• Sequenced set of activities
• Active learning
• Focus on personal or social skills
• Explicitly target a specific personal or social
  skill
• Produce
• Improvements in youths feelings and attitudes
  (including self-perceptions and bonding to
  school)
• Improved behavioral adjustments
• Improved school grades and level of academic
  achievement