MSU FORT PECK FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE PROGRAM

<b>Project Methods</b><br> Montana State University Extension requires all programs to provide an annual report that highlights extension programming. They also have implemented an evaluation tool that will aide in the assessment process. The Fort Peck Tribal Council also has Tribal Departments report to them regularly to gauge the program accomplishments and malfunctions. This oversight helps to maintain the goals and priorities agreed upon, to make sure resources are being used fiscally responsibly, and that the target audience is being reached. Many of the mini-grant or sponsorships also require evaluation procedures to measure demographics and change in behavior. These methods will all be utilized in the annual reporting to NIFA and included in the 4-Year Measurement of Success.Program 4-Year Measurement of SuccessThe evaluation plan to measure the overall success of the Fort Peck Reservation Extension Program will be a summative review of the project goals and objectives and matching them with the outcomes of the projects.During the 4 year term of this Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program Grant, the program activities will be evaluated and measured according to their suitable age and setting.Youth programs that are carried out in a series will have a pre and post-test evaluation procedure to assess their knowledge before and after the program.4-H youth involved in 4-H project work will be assessed by the checklist tracking system in their project books.These books are then evaluated by the 4-H Council committee for recommendation of project success and completion.They will then be able to move into the next level of the 4-H project skillset.Some projects such as the horse project are assessed in the arena to be able to move up into the next skill level.Younger students in classrooms will be asked a verbal survey using their hands, draw pictures, or will use objects such as colored sticky paper placed in an evaluation area to determine evaluation.Other programs will use questionnaire evaluations that are written questions about the program being evaluated, for education techniques, what they learned, and if there are any future suggestions on what they would like to learn.Turning Point technology will also be used where appropriate.Agriculture programs will also use pre and post-test evaluation to measure knowledge gain, of the program.While others will use testing to gain a certification or license.Larger group-style agriculture programs will use turning point technologies and follow up with survey monkey to quickly estimate program success.All other agriculture programs will be questionnaire style evaluation.There will also be oral, anecdotal, and interview statement collected on an individual basis.Questions asked will be centered on the participants gained knowledge, awareness, change in behavior, adoption of practices, and level of competency about the subjects presented.Other inquiries will be asked about demographics.Research data from plot trials and monitoring will be able collected for analysis.From the evaluations, the extension program will be able to track progress, monitor trends as an indication of adoption of practices, and be able to identify developing issues that need to be addressed.The Extension program will also engage with Extension colleagues, Tribal Departments, School Educators, and other collaborative partnerships to assess the value of the program. This will be done at the end of the 4-year project by a comprehensive survey. Extension personnel will also supervise the extension program for evaluation procedures, collection, and project completion.