Pilot Testing 4-H Curriculum

Pilot testing is done before the decision to adopt or produce curricula for statewide use is made.  By adequately pilot testing a publication with potential users of the curriculum, the investment in the publication can be justified.  In addition, feedback received can be used to modify a publication being developed or to produce or purchase more effective curricula in the future.  Below, you will find information about pilot test forms and pilot testing procedures.

Pilot Test Forms

The following sample pilot test forms are included in the Appendix of the RCE Curriculum Development Guide for 4-H/Youth Audiences (E211) and can also be downloaded from this site. The sample forms are available as HTML files or PDF files.

Title Format
4-H Project Material Survey PDF
4-H Project Material Survey HTML
4-H Curriculum Survey for Adult Leader/Teacher PDF
4-H Curriculum Survey for Adult Leader/Teacher HTML
4-H Record Book Trial Version Evaluation for Club Members PDF
4-H Record Book Trial Version Evaluation for Adult Club Leaders PDF

Authors and committees can use the above forms as-is or may develop alternative pilot test procedures.  The types of information sought by the questions included in these forms is considered a minimum need in pilot tests.  More sophisticated and complete pilot testing procedures and methods are welcomed.

Pilot Test Procedures

Keep the following points in mind when pilot testing:

  • Refer to the plan you described on the Request/Proposal form for evaluation and determining educational impact of the publication. Plan to meet any deadlines listed as part of the plan.
  • Choose a representative group of people who have used the curriculum to complete pilot test forms.  Make sure the number of people involved is high enough to get a good response but low enough so that the number is manageable for the evaluation committee.  In general, use a sample of individuals or groups from different geographic areas, clubs, or schools.  Surveying every user of the curriculum is rarely necessary.  Consider involving project advisory groups at the state or county levels in pilot testing, since they have a vested interest in seeing that quality, high priority curricula are tested and selected for use.
  • Appoint a person or subcommittee to tabulate the results of the pilot test, interpret the findings and make a recommendation to the appropriate standing committee based on those findings.  This information should be summarized in a brief report (one or two pages).
  • Use the results of the pilot test process!  If changes are recommended by users, plan to revise the curriculum before it is developed, duplicated, or re-printed.  If comments are made that would be useful to people developing similar publications, be sure to share these results.  When you are working with the feedback from the pilot test forms, be fair with the results you receive.  If you do receive negative feedback, approach it as objectively as possible and plan to use this feedback to improve this curriculum and also to produce better publications in the future.
  • Pilot testing not only provides necessary information for the approval of curriculum, it also is a valuable method of measuring impact achieved from programs and the curricula used in them.

4-H Curriculum Survey for Adult Leader/Teacher

Please help the 4-H program pilot test educational materials by completing this brief survey. (Complete all questions that apply.) Thank you for your input!

Curriculum Title:

Setting (Circle one): 4-H Club Classroom After school program Other

County:

1. Are materials up-to-date and attractive? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

2. Were the lessons/activities easy to lead and teach? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

3. Were the lessons/activities easy for youth to understand? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

4. Did it provide a way for youth to learn by doing? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

5. Was this a fun way to learn? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

6. Will youth be able to use what they learned? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

7. Did it teach what it said it would? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

8. Will you use this? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

9. Would you recommend this to others? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

10. Overall, how would you rate this 4-H curriculum? (Circle one.) POOR FAIR GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT

Please share any other comments or ideas you have about this curriculum below or on the other side of the page.



K. Diem/Curriculum Review Board, 4.96. Rev. 5.97.


4-H Project Material Survey for Youth 

Please tell us what you think about this 4-H project material or activity. Fill out this form and give it to the group leader. Thank you for your help!

Title:

Used in (Circle one): 4-H Club Classroom After-school program Other

County:

1. Was it fun? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

2. Was it easy to understand? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

3. Did you learn something? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

4. Will you use what you learned? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

5. Was this a good way to learn? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

6. Would you tell your friends about this? (Circle one.) YES NO
Comment:

7. Overall, how would you rate this project/activity? (Circle one.) POOR FAIR GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT

8. Please share any other comments or ideas you have:



K. Diem/Curriculum Review Board, 4.96. Rev. 5.97.
Rutgers New Jersey 4-H Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station