Factors associated with mastery of the 4-H professional research and knowledge base by extension agents, 4-H in Ohio

The purpose of this study was to explore within the population of Extension Agents, 4-H, the effects of fourteen critical events in their academic, professional and personal lives related to knowledge acquisition, and to determine the best predictors of overall mastery from those events. All 66 Extension Agents, 4-H of the Ohio Cooperative Extension Service submitted 4H PRK Mastery Tests and background information sheets. Reviews of transcripts and employment records were completed to obtain historical data. Performance was similar on all sub-tests except volunteerism, where the agents displayed significantly greater proficiency. Analysis identified cumulative post-secondary grade point average as the only significant variable loading on 4H PRK.