Proof! Illinois 4-H Teen Leadership Program is a Success

Illinois 4-H empowers and prepares youth for success. The claim is more than a tag line. Recent research findings by Dr. Amy Leman provide powerful evidence backing the Illinois 4-H youth leadership model. Leman, the evaluation and professional development specialist for University of Illinois Extension 4-H, surveyed 595 Illinois teen members between the ages of 15 and 18. Her key findings follow.

Illinois 4-H prepares youth for the future.

All teen 4-H members show high levels of leadership skill development even when compared with youth in other youth development organizations. On a survey measuring leadership life skills, Illinois 4-H members reported,on average, having more leadership life skills than youth studied in other states. Leadership life skills include skills such as communicating,working in groups, managing and decision making. Other research using the same survey studied 4-H and FFA members in Arizona,Colorado, New Mexico and Iowa and included youth in both 4-H and FFA.

Illinois 4-H leadership programs are effective in teaching leadership skills.

The Illinois 4-H teen leadership model lists six competencies:Planning, Promoting, Teaching, Mentoring, Advocating, and Advising. 4-H teens who were involved in at least one of these core competencies reported more leadership life skills when compared to 4-H members who had no leadership role.

4-H members who are more involved in their leadership programs report greater leadership skills than others who are less involved in their programs.

While some youth concentrated on one competency area, teens who increased their leadership opportunities in multiple areas scored progressively higher with each role gained.The more competencies they were exposed to, the greater their leadership skills grew.

Three more key findings show the value of teen leadership involvement.

1. Youth in 4-H leadership competency areas report being 4-H members longer than 4-H youth who are not in a leadership competency program.

2. 4-H teen leaders feel more confident in their abilities to influence and impact others than 4-H members not involved in leadership competency programs.

3. When compared with Illinois 4-H members not serving in leadership roles, 4-H teen leaders score higher on many traits:

• Expressing fee lings

• Setting goals

• Being honest with others

• Using information to solveproblems

• Delegating responsibility

• Setting priorities

• Being open-minded

• Considering the needsof others

• Selecting alternatives

• Recognizing the worthof others

• Solving problems

• Handling mistakes

• Clarifying one’s values

What does this mean for Illinois 4-H members?

We know it’s true: The Illinois 4-H teen competency model works to build the skills youth need to be empowered and successful for future goals.

by Judy Mae Bingman

by Judy Mae Bingman

by Judy Mae Bingman

by Judy Mae Bingman