Texas 4-H Recordkeeping

1
Texas 4-H Recordkeeping

• Information provided by
• Derrick Bruton Jodi McManus
• Extension Program Specialists 4-H

2
Interesting Findings

• Survey conducted with 2011 Texas 4-H scholar
  interviewees (188 of 192 interviewees responded)
• 88 (166 of 188) had completed a recordbook
• 42 (79 of 188) completed recordbook 7-10 yrs
• 86 said the recordkeeping skills they learned
  helped them in completing scholarship
• 83 said they used previous recordbooks to
  complete scholarship application

3
How Many Kids are Involved?

• Estimate of 4,000 statewide on county level
  complete recordbooks
• 2011 District entries 2,439
• 2011 State entries 310
• 5.7 OF MEMBERS
• Hopefully, the changes/updates to the
  recordkeeping sytem will increase these numbers!

4

• Give us your HONEST opinion of the current
  recordbook system?
• (responses from the TX 4-H Volunteer Conference,
  July 2011)
• LOVE IT! 5
• It is OK 30
• Needs some changes 60
• IT STINKS! 5

5
Volunteer Conference Feedback

• Do not understand current recordbook objectives
  why are they necessary? not kid friendly
• Frustration with judging process no consistency
  need rubric
• Current system is not easy for new kids to adopt
  as a new family, we dont know the lingo to use
• Would like for the MAP to mirror the recordbook
  forms or for the MAP to be the recordbook
• Would like examples of good recordbooks posted
  online
• Would like to still have a version to complete on
  their computer for those who may have limiting
  internet access
• Would like to see the first 2 sections combined. 
  Just give them 3 pages to fill in what they did
  and what they learned.
• Seems like the FUN has been taken out of RB
  process
• KISS Keep it simple stupid

6
More Volunteer Feedback(after seeing some of the
proposed changes)

• I know my 12 yr old could do it!
• Love the rubric (new score sheet)
• Love the online ideas and the judges comment card
• I hope to see all the changes SOON
• Just have 4-Hers list what they did what they
  learned
• Have guidelines age appropriate for each age
  category

7
Agent Feedback (after seeing some of the
proposed changes)

• Do it!
• No captions on photos
• No more objectives
• Combine pages 1-3 of form
• Standardize forms
• Should be different expectations for juniors vs
  seniors
• Love the rubric (it is dummy proof)
• Love online system (implement NOW)
• Make online system a REQUIREMENT
• Go for it Quit talking about it and do it!
• Consider judging online

8
NEW ONLINE SYSTEM!4H Reportswww.4hreports.com
AVAILABLE NOW!
9
Overview of Changes

• Three levels of recordbooks Junior,
  Intermediate, Senior
• Age appropriate forms will be progressive in
  nature (build on one another)
• Simplified reports for Juniors Intermediates
• Senior reports similar to current reports with
  some minor edits
• All members will begin using new, updated forms
  this year (2011-2012 4-H year)

10
Overview of Changes

• Forms may be completed through online entry
  system (www.4hreports.com) or may be downloaded
  from the Texas 4-H website
• Recordbooks will still be printed and turned in
  (hardcopy) to be judged
• Reference to recordbook objectives in report no
  longer required
• Photo captions no longer required
• Resume for seniors no longer required
• College/Career Exploration page added for seniors
• New scoresheet to provide better feedback coming
  soon!

11
JUNIOR Recordbook (4-H Age 8-10 yrs old)

• Focus on 1 main project for current 4-H year
• Other project areas, if any, can be included in
  Diary, Story, and Photos
• Required documents
• Personal Information Page
• Junior Report Form (story is part of Report Form)
• Photos pages (up to 3 pages)
• Judging
• Turn in required documents with current year
  information only using NEW forms followed by
  report forms (old forms) from last years
  recordbook (if available)
• Judging will be focused on 1 main project in
  current year only

12
Junior Report Form

• Junior Report Form includes
• 4-H Goals
• Complete at start of 4-H Year or start of project
• Diary of 4-H Events - includes project
  work/activities, leadership, community service
• Complete as activities happen throughout the year
• My 4-H Story small text blocks to address 6
  questions/statements. Use complete sentencesyou
  are telling a story!
• Complete at end of 4-H year or completion of
  project

Age Appropriate Practices for Juniors Setting
Goals Establishing positive habits through
routines (Diary of 4-H Events) Self-expression
through story telling
13
INTERMEDIATE Recordbook (4-H Age 11-13 yrs old)

• Focus on 1 main project for current 4-H year
• Other project areas, if any, can be included in
  Personal Journal, Summary of Activities and
  Story/Photos
• Required documents
• Personal Information Page
• Intermediate Report Form
• 4-H Story Photo Portfolio
• Judging
• Turn in required documents with current year
  information only using NEW forms followed by
  report forms (old forms) from last years
  recordbook
• Judging will be focused on 1 main project and
  other project work/activities for up to 2 years

14
Intermediate Report Form

• Intermediate Report Form includes
• 4-H Project Plans and Goals
• Complete at start of 4-H Year or start of project
• Personal Journal - includes project
  work/activities, leadership, community service,
  and non-4-H activities
• Complete as activities happen throughout the year
• Summary of Activities Accomplishments,
  Recognition Awards, Community Service,
  Leadership, Project Summary
• Complete at end of 4-H year or completion of
  project

Age Appropriate Practices for Intermediates Plann
ing decision making (project plans and
goals) Recording reflecting on personal
experiences (Journaling) Achievement motivation
(Summary of significant accomplishments)
15
SENIOR Recordbook (4-H Age 14-19 yrs old)

• Similar to previous years reports with minor
  edits
• Focus on up to 4 projects
• Seniors are encouraged to set project goals at
  start of 4-H and adopt a record keeping system
  that meets their needs
• Required documents
• Personal Information Page
• Senior Report Form (Sections I VII)
• 4-H Story Photo Portfolio
• Judging
• Turn in required documents with current year
  information only using NEW forms followed by
  report forms (old forms) from last years
  recordbook
• Judging will be based on up to 4 projects for up
  to 4 years

16
Senior Report Form

• Senior Report Form includes (current year info
  only)
• Sec I 4-H Project Experiences What is your
  project? How did it change or grow? What have you
  done? What have you learned? (Combined first two
  sections of old report form) 3 pages
• Sec II 4-H Leadership Experiences chart
  format 1 page
• Sec III 4-H Community Service chart format 1
  page
• Sec IV Other 4-H Projects - ½ page
• Section V 4-H Recognition Awards - chart
  format ½ page
• Section VI Non 4-H Activities 1 page
• Section VII College/Career Exploration chart
  format 1 page

Age Appropriate Practices for Seniors Personal
power (creating a recordkeeping system to meet
their needs) Critical thinking (reflecting and
summarizing experiences) Constructive use of time
(can see bigger picture and purpose for
recordkeeping)
17
Story Photos

• Juniors
• Story is part of report form
• Include up to 3 pages of photos behind report
  form
• Intermediates Seniors
• Story Photo Portfolio separate document from
  report forms
• Up to 10 pages of text and photos (captions no
  longer required on photos)

18
Transitioning Between Age Divisions Judging

• Each year a member will add their new report
  forms and other required documents on top of old
  report forms.
• For Judging
• All Ages Updated Personal Information page will
  be completed every year
• Juniors Only current year report forms will be
  judged
• Intermediates - 2 most current years report forms
  will be judged
• Seniors 4 most current years report forms will
  be judged
• Intermediates Seniors New Story Photo
  Portfolio will be completed every year

19
Judging of Recordbooks

• A NEW scoresheet will be available soon!
• Rubric/chart format to allow judges to check a
  box that best describes their assessment of each
  section of the book
• Still allows space for written comments (next to
  each section and on back of scoresheet)
• Member should be able to tell what areas need
  improvement based on check marks and comments
• Sample (still in draft) on next page

20
(No Transcript)
21
Training for Families/Members

• Basic Instructions and Instruction Guide can be
  found at 4hreports.com
• Short instructional videos also available at
  4hreports.com (more will continually be added,
  check back often)
• Frequently Asked Questions page also available
  and will continue to grow with QA
• JUMP INmost of the forms are self explanatory!
• Check with your county office for local trainings

22
Questions?

• General recordbook or content questions
• Contact
• Your local County Extension Agent
• Clarification on guidelines or technical issues
• Contact
• Jodi McManus j-mcmanus_at_tamu.edu
• Derrick Bruton d-bruton_at_tamu.edu