Abstract

The Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is the largest and oldest informal teaching organization in the world. It is a complex multifaceted organization with a unique structure of funding and accountability (Franz and Townson 2008). This study examines program evaluation practices in Cooperative Extension by investigating CES state and county staff’s commitment to systematic evaluation as well as barriers and supports that influence engagement in systematic evaluations. A total of 345 Cooperative Extension Service state and county staff participated in this study via an online survey. Findings from this study suggest that Cooperative Extension Service state and field staff are most committed to using evaluation results, analyzing data, and focusing the evaluation. Likewise findings reveal that communication of information and attitudes and behaviors regarding program evaluation are predictors of an organization -like CES- willingness to engage in or learn about evaluation.