Classroom teachers at Valley High School reported improvement in engagement in learning for 61% of program participants over the school year, while a decline was noted for 7% of participants. Most parents/guardians thought their child liked the program quite a bit or a lot, and that it was somewhat or very likely they would send their child to the program again next year. The majority of parents noticed improvement in their child wanting to go to school, in their behavior at school, and in their reading and math skills.

Student Surveys

Participant opinions about the classes were positive. Most said they really liked the topics, and their teacher(s), had fun in the class, and felt respected and safe. After attending the program, most participants agreed that when they had a problem, they tried to understand the reason; that they got better at something when they kept practicing; and that it was important for them to reach their goals. Most of the students agreed that after attending the program they felt that others could count on them when they needed them. A little over three quarters of the students indicated they would come back for future sessions and the remaining students said they maybe would come back. Participants’ suggestions for future class topics included baking/cooking, crafts, dance, politics, science, and trades or wood works.

Main challenges for the 4-H 21st CCCLP at Valley High in its fourth year included recruitment and enrollment, programming, fiscal compliance, and professional development. A variety of recruitment and enrollment methods are recommended including tabling at school events at the beginning of the year, promoting the program through daily announcements all year, ensuring all participants are counted by improving attendance tracking, and creating bilingual materials. With respect to programming, recommendations include rehiring staff that connected well with students, offering the most popular classes again, continue to gather input from students and staff, and reintroduce a credit retrieval class.

To improve student survey response rates, the program could administer the student survey at the end of each session to capture students who do not attend every session. For parent surveys, the program could provide incentives to parents for their responses, administer the survey at family events, use multiple survey modes, and increase reminders. Recommendations to improve fiscal compliance include maintaining detailed record of all activities, student data, and transactions, supporting staff who utilize Transact, attending monthly NDE meetings, and keeping the 4-H Afterschool calendar updated. To improve professional development the recommendations include providing training to all staff regarding program goals, compliance, and the 4-H mission.