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Total Quality Management and Effective Extension Teaching

Volume

36

Issue

2

Abstract

Extension educators use program evaluation as a tool for measuring the effectiveness of teaching. Program evaluation consists of four steps: (a) designing an evaluation instrument to gather data, (b) gathering and analyzing the data, (c) comparing data with standards, and (d) making recommendations for improvement. Program evaluation can provide credible information for decision makers. However, little is said about the variations in the data or about teaching quality. By modifying traditional Extension education evaluation methods to include continuous quality improvement techniques, we can make our evaluation process more appropriate and effective. Statistical quality control charts provide a process for measuring variation, determining sources of variation, and making modifications to improve the quality of teaching. Evaluation data collected about Extension programs always exhibit variation. To improve program quality we must control and reduce the variance that exists among programs. Statistical control charts can be used to monitor these variations. Once measured, appropriate action can be taken to reduce variations and, thus, control and improve quality.

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