A process developed at Colorado State University to assess college students' knowledge of microcomputers prior to taking an introductory microcomputer course uses self-questionnaires to place students in the microcomputer learning curve according to their knowledge of and interest in microcomputers. Students can then be grouped into different…

Assessed family environments of 84 pregnant adolescents who recently made decision to parent or to place their babies for adoption. Results showed that adolescent parents or placers described their families as less functional than adolescent norms. Found no significant differences in family functioning between parents and placers. Vast majority of…

Describes the developmental process of a research program that integrates theory generation and empirical inquiry in an attempt to understand the process of readjustment that families adopting older children undergo. Presents preliminary findings from a short-term longitudinal study in the form of a case study of family readjustment. Discusses…

Examines link between adoption reunion and perception of adoption as social stigma through accounts of 60 reunited adult adoptees. Adoptees reported discrimination from others who questioned their unknown biological kinship ties. Their perception of self as more socially acceptable after reunion correlates with their view of adoptive status as…

Examines the not entirely positive effect of Britain's Adoption Law Review on the good practice developed in some social agencies around the placement needs of black children. (HTH)

Reviews child welfare research studies and discusses empirical literature on relationships among race, services, and outcomes in selected child welfare domains. Provides summary of previous research. Presents conceptual and methodological considerations for future research on role of race in child welfare and development of culturally competent…

Notes that, to better conceptualize the emotions related to adoption, it is important to understand and consider the ordinal position of an adoptee who is being treated for emotional difficulties. Examines the impact of three categories of ordinal position in adoption; all adjusted children; biological children followed by adopted child; and…

Reasons for the failure to adopt behavior-analytic teaching strategies include the perception that behavior analysis is coercive and controlling, difficulties in implementation, university factors, and marketing problems. The goal of dissemination of these strategies could be met through creating motivational conditions and devising marketing…

Describes results of a survey of geoscience and mineral technology libraries in Brazil conducted to determine the level of knowledge and adoption of marketing techniques among library managers. A lack of knowledge of marketing was verified, and recommendations for improving the situation are suggested. (12 references) (LRW)

Traces development of idea of special rights for children. Describes United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child as change in view of children's rights as part of human rights. Includes innovations such as participation rights, rehabilitation for children suffering exploitation or cruelty, and articles on adoption and administration of…

Discusses an increase in library users providing services for themselves that were formerly provided by library staff, and describes a study conducted at Ohio State University that measured (1) the public's acceptance of patron-initiated renewals and other capabilities, and (2) the resulting impact on staff activity. (five references) (LRW)

Discusses the cultural, political, and institutional barriers to population education in Madagascar and the strategies and initiatives that have been adopted to overcome them, including emphasizing the national character of a project, accommodating the values and ideals of the people involved, and assuring teachers of their classroom autonomy.…

Discusses the use of teletraining to solve performance problems and discusses the role of the change agent in using teletraining successfully. Highlights include identifying performance problems; characteristics of teletraining; the teletraining adoption process (TAP); teletraining implementation process (TIP); and case studies at AT&T…

This paper examines the attitudes and perceptions that adolescents have of adoption. Based on responses given by 175 high school students, the study found that adoption was the least discussed option for pregnancy resolution, and the adoption process was perceived as complicated and of questionable legality. (GLR)

A pilot project provided adopted persons, biological parents, and adoptive parents with supportive counseling through a mutual-aid adoption-triad group in search and reunion. Evaluation findings indicated that participants felt positively about the group experience. Findings suggest that this approach can serve as a model for postadoption search…