University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The role of the EFNEP paraprofessional in revitalized Cooperative Extension Service

Gehrt, Karen Roth

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/22018

Description

Title
The role of the EFNEP paraprofessional in revitalized Cooperative Extension Service
Author(s)
Gehrt, Karen Roth
Issue Date
1994
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Farmer, James A.
Department of Study
Education
Discipline
Education
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ed.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Education, Home Economics
  • Education, Adult and Continuing
  • Education, Agricultural
Language
eng
Abstract
  • Shrinking resources was the driving force behind downsizing of the Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, affecting staff, volunteers, and programs throughout Illinois. The purpose of this mini-strategic planning study was to contribute information that could have potential relevance to internal and external decision makers targeting new audiences in issue-oriented programming.
  • "Separate interview schedules were developed for use with paraprofessionals, professionals, and administrators. Twelve paraprofessionals, seven professionals, and six administrators provided the data for this study. Questions were framed from a ""then-and-now"" perspective and focused on employment characteristics of interviewees, needs assessment; problems, issues, and concerns; perceived changes; and recommended changes."
  • The main hypothesis for this study was: learning whether changes in Cooperative Extension Service would require a change in the way in which paraprofessionals are used to help EFNEP achieve its mission. The second hypothesis was that recommendations can best be interpreted from the perspective of a link-pin model that uses paraprofessionals to achieve a two-way flow between EFNEP and the target audience, as well as up and down the organization.
  • The main findings included: a description of paraprofessionals from 1969 to present, the work of the paraprofessionals from 1969 to present, facilitating factors that contribute to helping EFNEP achieve its mission, and limiting factors that detract from EFNEP being able to accomplish its mission. The findings are content analyzed and interpreted from the perspective of a link-pin model.
  • "Finally, specific conclusions, implications, and recommendations are discussed. They include a thorough discussion of the three types of paraprofessionals: the new breed of paraprofessionals, the appropriate and inappropriate application of the link-pin model to the use of paraprofessionals, and a thorough discussion of paraprofessionals as a ""nerve center"" that links the Cooperative Extension Service to diverse and pluralistic audiences."
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/22018
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1994 Gehrt, Karen Roth

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Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois
Dissertations and Theses - Education
Dissertations and Theses from the College of Education