Identifier

etd-11122013-174659

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Human Resource Education and Workforce Development

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe southern region 4-H educator’s training experiences and attitudes, demographics, and leadership beliefs and attitudes. Based on a review of literature, most youth development workers tend to bring similar beliefs and attitudes to their work (Huebner, 2003). The Brumbaugh Youth Leadership Development Questionnaire, a twenty seven item survey, including multiple choice, open-ended, ranking, likert scale, and demographic questions, was developed and distributed online to all 4-H agents in the following United States southern regional states: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Overall, southern region youth educators viewed youth leadership development training as very or somewhat important. The most attended youth leadership development training method by youth educators was workshops. Youth educators most preferred face to face type trainings, such as workshops and district/regional/area trainings. Southern region youth educators ranked the ability of a leader to make decisions as the highest item in the leadership belief and attitude, which could be very helpful when teaching about youth and adult partnerships during a youth leadership development training. Youth educators felt that group leaders did not have to be knowledgeable about leadership theory, which would suggest that youth leadership development clubs tend to focus on context rather than content. The majority of the respondents were Caucasian and female. It was found that southern region youth educators hold rather similar views about leadership, regardless of age, gender, office location, level of education and years of service.

Date

2013

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Burnett, Michael

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1887

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