Assessment of a Texas Structural Pesticide Applicator Training Course Based on Performance of Participants Seeking Commercial or Non-Commercial Applicator Licenses

Abstract

This study sought to examine the performance of participants in training courses of the Agricultural and Environmental Services (AES) unit and determine variables affecting participants' scores on the General Standards Examination (GSE). The data sample for the study comprised 150 individuals who completed the 8-hour course between February 2011 and February 2012 and submitted instruments developed for this study (demographic and evaluation survey, pre-test, post-test, and GSE). The demographics of the pest control industry in Texas - or, more specifically, the demographics of those taking a Structural Pesticide Applicator Training (SPAT) course from AES - have not changed much since 1998. The major differences in demographics between the two groups of individuals investigated (commercial and non-commercial applicants) were in age and size of business where employed. Commercial participants tended to be younger than non-commercial participants. Those seeking commercial certification tended to be employed in smaller firms than did those seeking non-commercial certification. This study found moderate, positive correlations between the pre-test, post-test, and GSE. Finally, though the examination scores were correlated, there were statistically significant differences between participants' performances on the pre-test, post-test, and GSE. These differences were quadratic; all three pairs - pre-test and post-test, post-test and GSE, and pre-test and GSE - differed, with pretest scores in the middle, then post-test scores highest, and GSE scores lowest.

The researcher recommended that further research be conducted on demographic variables that may affect the outcome of the examinations, and that the rigor and relevance of the pre-test and post-test be increased to predict more accurately the results of the GSE.