Predictors of foster parents' satisfaction and intent to continue to foster

OBJECTIVE: The United States General Accounting Office (United States General Accounting Office [USGAO], 1989) report on out-of-home care affirmed that the foster care system is in crisis. To shed light on some factors that influence retention, the study reported here asked "What factors influence the satisfaction of foster parents?" and "What factors influence the intent of licensed foster parents to continue to foster?" METHOD: A sample of 539 foster parents in eight urban counties in a large Midwestern state completed questionnaires aimed at addressing these questions. RESULTS: Some of the factors exerting the strongest influence on satisfaction were: feeling competent to handle the children who were placed; wanting to take in children who needed loving parents; no regrets about investment in foster children; foster mother's age; and agency social worker providing information and showing approval for a job well done. An example of factors exerting influence on intent to continue to foster include overall satisfaction, readiness to phone the social worker, number of foster boys in the home, being treated like one needed help oneself, and agency affiliation (private). CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to increase the supply of foster homes through recruitment is not enough. The support, training, and professional regard given to parents after they have begun the fostering task is of greater need. Based on analysis of the findings, implications for practice, programming, and policy are offered.     

高中-大学双学分课程体制的陷阱

2005年6月,俄勒冈立法机关通过一项支持建立高校毕业速成班的法案,该法案要求在全州范围内建立一种高中-大学双学分课程体制,允许高中三、四年级的学生选修高中和大学/学院入学考试都适用的课程。双学分课程计划的典型特征是高中学生选修社区学院的课程(社区学院在高中或学院内开课),学生在社区学院修完两年课程、取得结业证书之后可以转学到四年制大学攻读学士学位。双学分课程计划在美国越来越受欢迎。华盛顿州立法机关早在1990年就制定了一个名为《起跑线》(Running Start)的计划,允许就读11和12年级的学生自由选修该州34所技术与社区学…     

Electrical engineering and nontechnical design variables of multiple inductive loop systems for auditoriums

This research analyzed both engineering and nontechnical issues involved in the use of Induction Loop Amplification (ILA) devices in auditoriums or large gathering places for hard-of-hearing individuals. A variety of parameters need to be taken into account to determine an optimal shape/configuration for the ILA device. In many cases, an optimal configuration is different from those proposed for classroom use (Ross, 1969; Hodgson, 1986; Clevenger, 1992). Experimental results were obtained for a double-loop configuration in such a setting (a university gymnasium/auditorium in this case). The results demonstrate that a double-loop configuration is a viable possibility for auditorium use. Several variables using this configuration were examined, and experimentation was done. Various implications, including consequent nontechnical issues specific to this application, are discussed as well. Technical and nontechnical aspects of the ILA configuration need to be examined together when designing an optimal system.     

我教书是因为……

你为什么非要教书不可?这是我谢绝了担任行政管理职务以后,一位朋友迷惑不解地问的一个问题。几乎所有的美国男孩从小都被灌输长大后要追逐金钱和权力,荣任行政管理职务无疑是朝这个方向前进了一大步,我为什么要拒绝呢? 肯定,我教书不是因为干这一行对我来说容易些。较之我尝试过的几种谋生手段——推土机手、     

小耗子

她快满7岁了,谁见了她都以为她只有4岁。她身材瘦小,皮肤黝黑,看见她的人不知那是她皮肤的本色还是附在上面的脏垢？蓬在她头上的浓黑的鬈发更映衬出她皮肤的黑来。她肢体孱弱,肩头瘦削,身上一条条的肋骨在那被人们雅量地称作长衫的破布片后面显露出来。     

三个士兵

战争爆发了,我们追击勇猛的阿富汗人,啊。弟兄们!我们把该诅咒的回教徒赶得落荒而逃。我们开进了喀布尔,我们攻下了巴拉伊萨,我们教他们尊重英国士兵。——军营歌谣     

舍己树

英国作家戴顿有一部名叫《舍己树》的作品,主角是一棵深爱着某个男孩的树。 男孩尚小的时候,在树枝上荡秋千,上树摘果子,在树阴下睡觉。树很喜欢那些时光。     

五十六号

我所要讲的故事,是我的朋友阿银在一个冬天的傍晚在他洗衣店后面的小房间里告诉我的。阿银是一个矮个子的天朝人,他表情严肃,忧心忡忡,那种忧郁多虑的气质和他的很多同胞一样。我和阿银的友谊已有好几年历史。在他店子后面那间灯光昏暗的小房间里,我们一起共度过很多漫长的夜晚,不是一起云里雾里地抽烟斗,就是一道沉浸在默默的冥想之中。我被我的这位朋友所吸引,     

安得列什科

“我们能够很早到那里,老爷,天不黑就到了。瞧!那就是村子。嗨!那片树林子下面,看见了吗？我们一过那道低岗子,就可以说到啦。”