Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative strengths and weaknesses of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) professionals in 12 proficiencies. The Southern Extension Leadership Development (SELD) Consortium (1999-2000) identified the proficiencies as important for Extension professionals. Using the Managerial Assessment Proficiency (MAP) test battery participants were assessed in four proficiency areas: (a) Job management; (b) Relating to others; (c) Team building; and (d) Thinking clearly. VCE professionals (n = 133) were assessed during a two-day in-service training session in terms of their managerial proficiency. The highest percentile ranking for the VCE professionals was found to be planning and scheduling work (68th percentile), followed by making decisions and weighing risks (63rd percentile), followed by giving clear information (62nd percentile) and appraising people (62nd percentile) and identifying and solving problems (62nd percentile). The highest proficiency composite ranking was supervision (61st percentile) followed by administrative (58th percentile). Comparisons between VCE and SELD participants (n = 1157) found higher percentile rankings for VCE participants in all but three of the proficiency areas.

Keywords: Proficiency, Competency, Extension, Training, Workshop, Curriculum

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