A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Focus on Gender Equity

In search of materials that will encourage girls to pursue courses---and perhaps careers---in mathematics and science? Looking for information on how to infuse equity and eliminate gender bias across the curriculum? Frustrated in your quest for programs that address issues surrounding Native American history and culture?

The Women's Educational Equity Act (WEEA) Publishing Center, a national clearinghouse and publisher of gender-fair materials for over a quarter century, has an array of books, pamphlets, working papers, and fliers to address these issues and many others. Funded through OERI, the center markets and disseminates approximately 200 publications developed by individuals and organizations throughout the nation. Its inventory includes field-developed and field-tested models, training programs, curricula, and mathematics, history, and social studies resources. These combine the best of research and practice for use in a wide variety of settings. In addition, the Publishing Center distributes the WEEA Digest, along with working papers for educators, researchers, and policymakers. These materials offer current discussions on educational theory, research, and field-based perspectives.

Besides its marketing and dissemination capabilities, the WEEA Center can provide technical assistance, resources, training, and presentations to educators and community organizations that are working to create gender-fair, multicultural education. Staff can recommend appropriate WEEA products to fit the specific needs of a program and suggest ways to integrate them. They also maintain a large national electronic network through which they share information and converse with others around the country.

Finally, through its extensive network of individuals and organizations, the Publishing Center can link projects doing similar work, make recommendations for speakers, and provide access to gender equity and multicultural education experts, researchers, and resources.

While the center is currently OERI's primary vehicle for encouraging gender equity, the issue is beginning to take hold in other areas. For the first time, encouraging female and minority students in mathematics and science was among the absolute priorities to be addressed by applicants for grants under the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Program for Mathematics and Science Education. The competition, which closed July 5, invited applicants to develop model projects to stimulate and sustain the interest and attainment of female and minority children in these subject areas.

For further information or to obtain a copy of the center's latest publications catalog, write: WEEA Publishing Center, Education Development Center, Inc., 55 Chapel Street, Suite 200, Newton, MA 02158-1060; phone: 1-800-225-3088 (in MA, 617-969-7100); or use WEEAPUB@edc.org for e-mail.

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