YQCA promotes the development of a common framework for youth livestock quality assurance programs that will enhance the educational experience of youth, improve the care of animals, and provide a higher level of food safety to consumers. Although content taught within the YQCA curriculum should be evergreen, the YQCA Board of Directors recognizes the importance of conducting a regular review for the following purpose:
• Ensure content is still accurate and relevant
• Evaluate learner feedback and consider how the feedback might be incorporated into the curriculum
• Identify time-sensitive topics that could be addressed in the form of a curriculum supplement (i.e., teacher guide to follow online moline modules, hands-on application following online modules, handout, additional activity during instructorled training, etc.)
The YQCA Board has elected to conduct a review process of the YQCA curriculum every three years. An overview of that process can be found on the YQCA website. The following information provides an overview of the 2023-24 review and revision of YQCA curriculum.
What did this curriculum review entail?
With 14 courses (one for each age – ages 8 to 21), each course containing three areas (food safety, animal well-being, and character) and each area divided into three modules (knowledge builder, skills lab, and quiz) this total review and revision spanned across 126 online modules. The course assessments included an analysis of course functionality, experience, media, and content. The analysis included responses to three main survey questions:
• What other comments can you share pertaining to your ability to access and use the course? (open-response question)
• Content within the lessons loaded without any problems. (A Yes/No question. Respondents who answered ”No” were invited to offer additional comments in an open-response format.)
• Information within the lesson was appropriate for my age. (A Yes/No question. Respondents who answered ”No” were invited to offer additional comments in an open-response format.)
Last Updated 9/10/2024 These survey questions are available to all youth before they receive their certificate. The analysis of more than 52,000 open-ended responses was included in the review process. Additional feedback regarding content gathered throughout the past several years was also included in the curriculum review. The process concluded with a multi-day comprehensive review event with content authors. For the instructor-led training (ILT) materials, survey feedback was collected from more than 400 YQCA instructors. This feedback was utilized to revise the ILT materials.
What is being revised?
The comprehensive review process identified content changes, module interaction updates, audio script updates, and media updates. YQCA hosted a media shoot to capture updated images needed for the revision. One goal based on feedback received through the review process was to expand the diversity of both humans and animals in the curriculum. Revisions to content, media, quiz questions, and interactions are being made throughout the 126 modules. The instructor-led training materials (facilitation guide, slide deck, and additional materials) have also been updated to reflect content changes made through this revision process. Feedback and recommendations collected from more than 400 YQCA instructors also informed modifications to the facilitation guide and slide decks.
Who was involved with this revision process?
Subject matter experts, animal ag industry representatives, educational specialists, and learning design specialists were all involved in the review and revision process. Several of these individuals serve on the YQCA board, and additional content support was brought in when needed throughout the process. More about YQCA’s revision process itself can be found on the YQCA website. When will the new curriculum be available? YQCA plans for the new online modules to launch on October 1, 2024, concurrent with the start of the new YQCA year. The instructor-led training modules will also be updated and available at that time. Instructors renew each year on October 1, so once instructors renew, they will access the new curriculum and materials on the instructor resource page after October 1, 2024.
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