The field of family therapy is a relatively new one, growing and gaining wider acceptance in the areas of social work, psychiatry, psychology, and community mental health. It has influenced the shift from individually oriented theory and techniques to a social systems approach, emphasizing the relationship between family members. While research…

Suggests that a useful way of viewing schools is that of the systems approach of looking at organizations. System analysis attempts to measure what resources are fed into a school, what happens to students while enrolled, and what educational benefit students receive from their stay in school. (Author/AM)

A method of case assessment is described. Data from the checklists about client, family, primary institution, and socioeconomic environment are transferred to a summary matrix outline form and causal inferences are given visual representation by vectors between the various system components. (Author/BH)

This paper presents a case study of a skills development program for so-called high-risk students. The "Systems Approach to Learning Resources" summer course stressed analytical and verbal skills development, while serving a complementary and integrative role with the other summer courses. (Author)

Reports the application of a systems approach to develop a personnel development system for Iowa's vocational personnel at the state's fifteen community colleges. Success of the system (which was the result of a year-long institute) is suggested by the fact that most of the colleges are now developing a local plan of action. (DTT)

Discusses individualization of pacing, instructional goals, mode of learning, and learner's expectations. The article then examines Banathy's seven strategies for developing a systems approach to the classroom in terms of the way they affect the implementation and regulation of an individualized foreign language program. (KM)

Introduces the concept of "developmental niche" as a framework for examining the cultural structuring of child development. Focuses on (1) anthropological perspectives on human development, (2) psychology and the environment, (3) subsystems and other aspects of the developmental niche, and (4) changes which occur in niches as individuals…

Discusses difficulties in defining instructional systems design (ISD) and presents five ways the field is viewed, ranging from a narrow view emphasizing media selection to a complete ISD view. The ISD view emphasizes five main components: educational theory and research, system analysis, diffusion, consulting/interpersonal relations, and project…

The range of microcomputer based applications in early childhood special education is characterized in terms of systems management, instructional management, and direct instruction. Six current issues are discussed including the need for integrated applications, instructional quality, unreasonable expectations of users, developmental…

This article explores concepts and strategies pertaining to systemic family assessment, enumerates the essential principles of systems theory, and discusses the purposes of family assessment in the context of children's school-related problems. An overview of assessment strategies is provided. (Author/LMO)

Considers possible contributions of developmental psychology to analysis and solution of practical problems by proposing a practical action model comprising the following: nature of the phenomenon or problem; existence of the phenomenon or problem; outcome in case of no intervention; goals for intervention; achievement of goals; and assessing…

Teachers prefer that staff development be continuous, relevant, and integral to their jobs. A systems approach to staff development contains three basic components: planning, implementation, and evaluation. The proposed model emphasizes how interdependence of these components can be achieved through the use of feedback which facilitates system…

This article discusses tools developed to aid the systems analysis process (program evaluation and review technique, Gantt charts, organizational charts, decision tables, flowcharts, hierarchy plus input-process-output). Similarities and differences among techniques, library applications of analysis, structured systems analysis, and the data flow…

Discusses from a systems-theory perspective the goals and functions of secondary education--and conditions affecting its performance--in western societies. Suggests definitions of the fundamental choices facing schools and principles to guide educational reform. (MCG)

Discusses rationale for distinguishing between task analysis and instructional analysis, contributions they make to instructional design, and why they are dependent on each other. Major functions in the instructional analysis process are described, examples are provided, and benefits of using this approach to achieve effective and efficient…