The Administration on Children, Youth and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services funds a number of programs that focus on preventing abuse of children in troubled families, protecting children from abuse, and finding permanent placements for those who cannot safely return to their homes. This fact sheet provides information on…

Early childhood teachers can help young children develop an awareness of and appreciation for the many kinds of family structures in today's society. This Digest provides suggestions for teachers who may have children in their classroom who were adopted. Strategies include: (1) select curriculum activities and materials that represent diverse…

This paper describes approaches that states have taken to systemic reform in adult education programs, approaches driven by the demand for accountability and high-quality services from legislation and other sources. It begins by defining systemic change and presenting a framework for understanding it. The document presents approaches in four areas…

Adoption of instructional communications technology meets with resistance and even opposition in higher education; however, by anticipating and estimating the resistance to change, instructional innovators can gain compliance from the colleagues they are trying to help. Resistance to change in education is caused by many factors both real and…

This article discusses the problems and potential solutions surrounding foster care and adoption of handicapped children, with special focus on the situation in Virginia. The growing number of children with multiple handicaps entering foster care is cited, along with the challenge of finding foster parents for them. Social workers are advised to…

Presents nine propositions dealing with communication and implementation of innovations. For example, innovation diffusion depends on face-to-face personal contact, the teacher has very limited access to new ideas and innovations, and what is rational for the teacher may not be rational for the administrator or reformer. (Author/IRT)

This paper discusses the impact of computers on student learning as reported by teachers participating in a study of a computer-based language arts instructional program for the early elementary grades--the Apple Learning Series: Early Language (ALS-EL). Although they found the program difficult to evaluate, some teachers stated that the ALS-EL…

This investigation of computer anxiety as one of the components of resistance to technology among staff in academic libraries focused on its effects on: (1) their level of participation in a library computer literacy program; and (2) their attitudes toward library automation and computers in general. To measure computer anxiety, the Computer…

This exploratory study analyzed the incidence and nature of barriers experienced by applicants wishing to adopt special needs children, defined as: "children who are older, have physical disabilities, are emotionally troubled, or are mentally retarded. Many are Black or Hispanic. Some are brothers and sisters who need a home together." Between…

This paper examines how educational comparisons might be used by the educational practitioners, and how the educator can contribute to the comparativists' work. Currently, it is argued, a gap exists between comparative educational study and the theory and practice of education. This leads to three areas of need. First, professional comparativists…

Developments in Canadian child welfare services during the last 20 years are discussed in this paper. The discussion is based on data gathered from provincial annual reports and public accounts, Statistics Canada publications and Health and Welfare Canada reports on homes for special care, and from the author's earlier study of the child welfare…

The key to successful curriculum reform is a broad-based, systematic decision-making process directed by teachers. Common approaches to curriculum development are haphazard and tend to produce superficial change. An approach that gives teachers a personal and professional stake in its results, however, can generate fundamental and lasting reforms.…

This monograph defines and describes research in the study of adoption of electronic text services in higher education institutions. Electronic text here includes text and graphic information encoded and transmitted via broadcast, signal, or cable, under user control. It places the diffusion of electronic text in higher education within the…

Presents some variations in format, wording and ideas found in a national survey of forms used by foster care divisions of state departments. Raises issues for consideration by foster care agencies. (Author/ED)

An elaboration of the adoption phase of the Clark and Guba R and D model. A brief discussion of the normative structures of the organizations and organizational boundary permeability provides the rationale for a set of suggested procedures for adoption of innovations at the school building level. (Author)