Recognizing the need for education that addresses social emotional and mental health issues faced by adults, Extension developed two different types of programs. Michigan State University (MSU) Extension developed the RELAX: Alternatives to Anger program (RELAX) to address anger management, and West Virginia University (WVU) Extension created…

This article describes an innovative evaluation plan we employed to capture outcomes of a multiyear beginning farmer program and, specifically, highlights the facilitation technique we used to document short-term and intermediate goals of the program that matched U.S. Department of Agriculture grant requirements and Extension administration…

Sociology research methods students in 2013 and 2016 implemented a series of "real world" data gathering activities that enhanced their learning while assisting the department with ongoing program assessment and program review. In addition to the explicit collection of program assessment data on both students' development of sociological…

RELAX: Alternatives to Anger is an educational anger management program that helps adults understand and manage anger, develop communication skills, manage stress, and make positive behavioral changes in their interpersonal relationships. A sample of 1,168 evaluation surveys were collected from RELAX: Alternatives to Anger participants over 3…

Background: In elementary grades, comprehensive health education curricula have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing singular health issues. The Michigan Model for Health (MMH) was implemented and evaluated to determine its impact on nutrition, physical fitness, and safety knowledge and skills. Methods: Schools (N = 52) were randomly assigned…

In July 2008, Riverbend Public Schools (RPS) in Western Michigan and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) received a grant from the Wallace Foundation that supported the development of a specialized educational leadership program. The project was designed to customize an existing degree program in the university's College of Education, focusing on…

This study reports on a district-wide research-based professional development (PD) that included 207 teachers and administrators. Data were collected from pre/post surveys, content analysis of the participants' wiki pages, and a follow-up questionnaire. Findings indicate that participants significantly improved their foundational and technical…

During the 1970-71 school year, this project sought to provide elementary and secondary students with a broad occupational orientation, work experience, specific training in job entry skills, intensive occupational guidance and counseling, and initial job placement. Major results and accomplishments achieved during the year for the elementary…

The Michigan Department of Education's 1971-72 Title III evaluation reports on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Title I, Open Concept School program for Indian Education in the Sault Sainte Marie Area Public Schools. Of the 185 students in the school, 100 were of American Indian origin; approximately 1/2 were economically and…

The Michigan Department of Education's 1972-73 Title III evaluation reports on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Title I Open Concept School program for Indian education in the Sault Sainte Marie Area Public Schools. Of the 190 students in the school, 103 were of American Indian origin; 59% were from low socioeconomic groups. The…