How are equity issues (gender, special needs, language) addressed?
Hands-on active learning is a great equalizer. All students work together with interest and enthusiasm. FOSS has deep roots in special education. Many of the methodologies and materials were originally developed for students with disabilities in the SAVI/SELPH program during the 80s. The multisensory philosophy serves all students. The FOSS staff is sensitive to issues of gender. Girls have a great experience with FOSS, as evidenced by their equal performance in areas of the curriculum that are often considered the proprietary domain of boys construction, spatial relationships, handling living organisms. Where no stereotypical expectations are expressed or implied, students behave as individuals free of bias. Student sheets and assessment pages are offered in the standard commercial version in Spanish and English. For more information about FOSS and equity issues, connect to the FOSS Newsletter Archive.
