An evaluation of the effectiveness of the pesticide applicator certification training program of the Texas Structural Pest Control Board

Purpose and objectives. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the Texas structural pesticide applicator certification training program in preparing license candidates for the General Standards Examination. Specific objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the demographics of the license applicants (trainees); (2) the demographics of structural pesticide applicator certification training program course providers; (3) the androgogical practices and delivery methods used by course providers; and (4) which androgogical practices and delivery methods were most effective in preparing license candidates for the General Standards Examination.;Methodology. The populations were all license applicants during 1996 and all course providers who conducted training programs during 1996. The study included 1,303 license applicants and 11 course providers.;Descriptive statistics were used to report findings related to demographics of participants and course providers. Frequencies and distributions were used to develop profiles of the participants and the course providers. Correlational techniques were used to determine relationships between and among demographic data and participant performance. Also, course provider data relating to androgogical practices and delivery methods used were examined using correlational techniques.;Major Findings. The major findings of the study were as follows: (1) Applicator candidates in Texas were a diverse group. Sixty-five percent were between 20 and 39 years of age, 98% had high school or higher educations, and 80% had less than one year of experience in the pest control industry. (2) The structural pesticide applicator certification training program was effective in preparing license applicants for the General Standards Examination. (3) Structural pesticide applicator certification training course providers were experienced instructors. They had an average of 10 years formal teaching experience. (4) Structural pesticide applicator certification training course providers were experienced in the pest control industry and well educated. They had an average of 18 years experience in the pest control industry, 55% had master's and doctoral degrees. (5) Lecture/discussion was the most frequently used androgogical practice, thirty-five millimeter slides were the most frequently used information delivery technique, and instructors preferred classes with 25 or fewer participants. Course providers had been teaching certification classes an average of nine years.