The identification of those variables necessary for the implementation of a successful community education project

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish an inventory of community education implementation components along with their perceived importance. In order to accomplish this purpose, the researcher sought to answer the following questions, utilizing a selected panel of 15 community education experts: 1. What steps should be used in the implementation of a community education project as perceived by selected leaders in the field of community education? 2. What is the perceived importance of selected implementation components in the establishment of a successful community education project? 3. What is the perceived order in which selected implementation components should be used in the establishment of a successful community education project? This study used a modified Delphi technique which consisted of four phases. In Phase I the experts were asked to list what they believed should be the specific components used in the implementation of community education. In Phase II the experts were asked to evaluate the items generated by placing a value on each of the identified components. In Phase III the experts were given a last chance to revise their opinions using information derived in Phase II. In this phase the experts were also asked to arrange those components listed (the most important 12 identified in Phase II), in what they would view as a proper sequential order. In Phase IV the experts were given a last chance to revise their opinions concerning the sequential order of the listed components using information derived from Phase III. Prioritization of components was based on hand compilation of median scores from a 100-millimeter value scale. Analysis of data after each phase was also conducted using computer programs DISTAT and ANOVAR (Veldman, 1967). Those components of highest priority (importance), in the sequential order established by the panel, are: Conduct an awareness session with school officials and school board members to explore the concept Establish a community education study committee to investigate the feasibility of community education in the local area...