Volume
7
Issue
1
Abstract
“The use of aides will be necessary if Cooperative Extension is to makes th most of social and economic development and quality of Extension programs”, according to the Joint USDA/NASULGC Extension Study Committee. A ratio from 3 to 45 subprofessionals (aides) to one professional worker (a total of 52,460 by 1975) is recommended in programs where subprofessionals would be used (social and economic development, quality of living, and low-income agriculture). These are recommend for work mostly with the disadvantaged and alienated, with the aides coming primarily from the target population. According to the report, “effective work will require a specific orientation, empathy, and effort”. What will these special requirements entail? What is the role of the professional who works with subprofessionals? Do the demands on the professionals change substantively or substantially when he had subprofessionals working with him? Experiences in recent years with pilot projects, special contract projects, and work of other agencies provide some clues. The author of this article sorts out and discusses some of the considerations that should receive attention as Extension moves to add a subprofessional category to its classification of employees. If the author’s observations are correct such a move will not supply extend the energies of the professionals, it will have a considerable impact one the content of this role.
Recommended Citation
Silverman, S. A. (1969). Subprofessionals in Extension?. The Journal of Extension, 7(1), Article 6. https://open.clemson.edu/joe/vol7/iss1/6
