Date: April 21, 1999

To: County Livestock Educators

From: Jeff Held- SDSU Sheep Specialist

Don Boggs- Head, Animal and Range Sciences

RE: 1999 Knowledge Survey and Summary

Enclosed are a survey key and the document you completed on April 13^th during the extension conference. Your score is given on the upper right hand corner, given as the points off. A summary score sheet is provided for you to compare against other colleagues. Realize this is sorted based on the points given for correct information, the reciprocal of the score on your survey. There was a maximum of 90 points in the survey. As a reminder, the number for each set of questions corresponds to the nine Livestock Educator Outcomes. We were pleased with the knowledge and ability demonstrated.

The survey scoring system was fairly rigorous. Each question was worth 6 points. No answer or wrong answers were scored as zero. Partial credit was given for an elementary answer or a correct portion of a question. Full credit for complete answers supported by the technical level desired or correct calculations. Several questions provide excellent examples where partial or full credit was given dependent on technical support information. In 4B, to receive full credit the response must include inadequate calibration or lack of accurate prediction regression equation whereas partial credit was given for answers describing sampling efforts. Another example is 6B, most responses for partial credit included common sense variables which influence performance such as frame-size, breed, etc. To receive full credit the net energy (maintenance and gain) information for the animal and the ration were required.

The purpose of the survey was to get baseline information to assess a starting point for training. It was intended to provide educators an opportunity to view the specialists’ expectations for “Visions Compliance”. Also to evaluate and provide input into the Livestock Educators Expected Outcomes using the self-assessment section in the survey.

Based on the feedback during the conference and the excellent attitude demonstrated in completing the survey we are making excellent progress. Communication is likely to be the key to our success, keep it up!

See you on May 12-13!

Cc: Livestock Specialists

Kim Cassel