Research Shows 4-H Helps Young People Excel Beyond Their Peers
The 4-H Youth Development Program strives to enable youth to reach their full potential
as they work and learn in partnership with caring adults. The 4-H Programs' ultimate
goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of youth reached through our programs,
events and activities. National research studies and state program outcome data indicate
that 4-H is making a positive difference in the lives of youth 5-19 of age who participate
in 4-H youth development programs.
The structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that young people receive through their participation in 4-H plays a vital role in helping them achieve future life successes. Preeminent youth development scholar, Dr. Richard Lerner, and a team at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University have worked with faculty at land-grant universities to conduct The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development. The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development is a longitudinal study that began in 2002, and continues today, surveying more than 7,000 adolescents from diverse backgrounds across 44 U.S. states.
This in-depth study has discovered that, when compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H:
- Have higher educational achievement and motivation for future education
- Are more civically active and make more civic contributions to their communities
- Shown to have had significantly lower drug, alcohol and cigarette use than their peers
- 2.3 times more likely to exercise and be physically active
- Report better grades, higher levels of academic competence, and an elevated level of engagement at school
- Are nearly two times more likely to plan to go to college
- Are more likely to pursue future courses or a career in science, engineering, or computer technology.
Tufts Positive Youth Development Research Study
Reported 4-H Outcomes for Arkansas
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1490 participants learned decision making life skill
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308 participants learned accepting differences life skill
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2039 participants learned communication life skill
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2039 participants learned leadership life skill
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1950 participants learned self-responsibility life skill
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563 participants learned healthy lifestyle choices life skill
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1294 participants indicated they increased their knowledge of healthy eating patterns after completing a nutrition education program
- 2521 participants learned personal responsibility and decision making strategies to reduce their risk of ATV related injury or death through participation in an educational workshop/program.
4-H Impact Reports for Arkansas