ABSTRACT
To promote program quality assurance, the Office of Health Promotion and Education at Penn State University evaluated peer health educators' presentation skills. Professional staff and experienced peer educators used an instrument tested for interobserver reliability to evaluate effectiveness in three skill areas: knowledge, delivery, and sensitivity. Each skill was rated, using a 4-point Likert-type scale. Knowledge included measures of preparation, subject knowledge, and ability to respond to questions knowledgeably; delivery included measures of clarity of directions, pacing, and transitions, appropriate and challenging questions, cooperation with co-facilitators, and enthusiasm; and sensitivity included comfort level, establishing trust in the group, nonjudgmentalism, appropriate use of humor, and nonsexist/nonheterosexist language. The evaluation teams observed and reviewed 18 work-shops conducted by 24 peer educators. Of the 24 educators evaluated, only 4 scored below 85%, the threshold for acceptable performance, and most scored above 90% in competency. Once baseline data had been gathered, the professional staff established a requirement that peer educators who did not meet this threshold must conduct their next two presentations with experienced peer educators who had met or exceeded it, and that professional staff members should work with students individually to improve skill levels. Evaluation criteria and threshold rates are to be reviewed each year.
