Provides an overview of adoption statistics and describes data available regarding adoption arrangements and the characteristics of parents who relinquish children, of children who are adopted or in substitute care, and of adults who seek to adopt. Recommends the establishment of a national data collection system for adoption statistics.…

Discussion of the adoption of new technologies in libraries throughout history focuses on two innovations in particular: the card catalog and the typewriter. Topics discussed include the replacement of one technology by another; budget considerations; requirements and attitudes of the labor force; reactions of library users; and attitudes of…

Examines the literature about people who choose to become single adoptive parents. Reviews the demographic and personal characteristics of single parents who adopt, and summarizes the experiences of single parents with the children they adopt. Calls for further research on single parents who adopt special needs children. (GH)

Includes "Profile of Farm Technology Adopters" (Rollins) and "How Do You Feel about Teaching Money Matters?" (Furry, Radhakrishna, Bowen). (JOW)

Responses from 84 of 179 industrial and technical teacher educators indicated that 63% used distance-learning technologies; 84.8% had equipment problems; 88.6% lacked information on technology uses; 96% thought poor teaching skills were an obstacle to effective use. Institutional lack of support or recognition of distance teaching was also a…

Details creation of Adoption Option, Inc., a public adoption agency founded in 1986 in Ohio. Highlights three program areas of agency's mission: (1) training for those who assist pregnant women/teens with unplanned pregnancies; (2) educational programs for school-based health curricula; and (3) media initiative to convey accurate information about…

Notes that open adoption is less typical in adoptions of special-needs children; presents a model for openness in special-needs adoptions. Notes that the primary benefit of openness for an adopted child is loss minimization and maintenance of familial connections even in cases of abuse or neglect, as children continue to form significant…

Reviews Cline and Helding's guide for adoptive and foster parents of disturbed children, noting author's direct approach in considering the difficulties of adopting special needs children, the quality of practical assistance, and the Cline/Helding Adoptive Parent Attitude Assessment. (JPB)

Discusses how irrational beliefs can be disputed and replaced with alternative, healthier mind-sets. Focuses on cognitive restructuring theory, changing unhealthy thoughts, disputation, semantics, and adopting alternative mind-sets, such as life is bizarre and funny. Claims that using words that indicate preferences and possibilities can help…

Used case-by-case matching and regression techniques to compare outcomes for parents and families who adopted children with Down syndrome and those who adopted children with other developmental disabilities. Found successful parent and family functioning, regardless of the child's disabilities. The positive stereotype for Down syndrome was not…

Explores criteria for successful adoption of a Web-based collaborative technology in a graduate class. Results of focus groups and surveys demonstrated that classic diffusion of innovation dimensions could be applied to education if implemented correctly, and explains why the implementation of new technology was unsuccessful in this class.…

Compared adjustment of large versus conventional sized adoptive families rearing children with disabilities. Found that parents of large families functioned as well or better than parents of conventional-sized families with regard to family strengths, disharmony, marital adjustment, and adjustment to adopted child. Concluded that placement should…

Reviews "Adoption Wisdom: A Guide to the Issues and Feelings of Adoption" by Marlou Russell. Maintains that its narrative/comment format and accounts of those involved in adoption validate the feelings of the adoption-triad members. Suggests that the book lacks information on individuals who contributed comments and contains few narratives from…

Addresses the need for careful planning and discernment when adopting new educational technology to ensure gains in student performance and to achieve learning goals. Topics include focusing on philosophical commitments and program purposes; challenging claims; testing; reviewing previous experiences; evaluating; and slowing down the purchase and…

Using case examples, this article discusses the emotional and psychological difficulties often encountered by children and their prospective adoptive parents when birthparent visitation occurs and legal uncertainties exist. Clinical and policy recommendations are offered to help both the children and families in these situations as well as the…