Last updated: January 28, 2021
Coming Summer 2021: FOSSweb on ThinkLink®
In 2019 we conducted an extensive user experience survey and received feedback from more than 3,500 FOSS teachers. Your feedback has informed development of a new home for FOSS digital program resources, beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. ThinkLink is a new curriculum platform from School Specialty, built to be scalable with easier access and streamlined presentation of resources for all FOSS users.
- New Features: An Improved Experience
- Timing and User Migration
- End of Support for Legacy Editions
- Frequently Asked Questions (coming soon!)
Over the next 12-24 months, we will be migrating nearly all of School Specialty's Science, ELA, and Math curriculum programs to ThinkLink. If your district is using other core or supplemental programs published by School Specialty you'll be able to access everything in one place.
New Features: An Improved Experience
We know that the stability of the current FOSSweb system hasn't always met your expectations. Along with module content organization improvements, the ThinkLink platform is a significant technology upgrade which provides a more consistent experience for you and your students.
Easy single sign-on login and class management with Clever, Google, and more
Integrates with Canvas, Schoology, Google Classroom, and other systems
Streamlined teacher dashboard for modules and classes
Whole module teacher resources (Investigations guide, blackline master, assessment resources, etc.) restructured for easier access
Resources for students arranged age-appropriately for easy access at grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8
Simplified access to Spanish resources, including setting default language
Improved teacher and student access to the FOSSmap online assessment system
Searchable knowledge base for categorized and tagged article-style, video, and PDF help resources for both the platform and the program
Admin, Teacher, and Student login reports for usage accountability
Direct admin access to improved FOSSmap reporting for the schools assigned to your role
Full organizational management, regardless of rostering method
Browse a full course catalog of all the content licensed to your district
- Rostering options include Clever, ClassLink, OneRoster 1.1, bulk import, manual creation, and self-registration (if enabled by the district)
- Easy single sign-on with Clever, ClassLink, Google, or SAML
- Clever and ClassLink API integration for faster onboarding and more frequent roster updates
- Direct integration with Canvas and Schoology for content access, including deep linking
- LTI 1.1 External Tool access with other compliant LMS
- Scalable cloud hosting with Microsoft Azure for high availability, even during periods of heavy traffic
- Fully WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliant for accessibility
- Additional district-level support capabilities
Timing and User Migration
Throughout the late winter and spring, we will be making more information available to users and their schools and districts. We are actively working on core development through early spring and in the process now of building out content for the FOSS Next Generation, FOSS K-6 Third Edition, and FOSS Middle School Second Edition programs. We anticipate that all active edition users who are not also using legacy editions will access their FOSS digital resources via ThinkLink for the 2021-2022 school year and beyond.
Watch this page and your email for more information on walkthrough webinars, frequently asked questions, and other professional development and transition opportunities this spring. If you have urgent questions, please contact our Educator Success team and select "Moving to ThinkLink" from the issue list.
End of Support for Legacy Editions
We will be ending support for the following legacy editions of the FOSS program on July 1, 2022:
- FOSS K-6 Second Edition
- FOSS Middle School First Edition
- FOSS California ©2007
- FOSS Texas ©2013
Print and consumable materials will be available from School Specialty while supplies last but digital content will no longer be accessible after the close of the 2021-2022 school year. Please contact your FOSS sales manager for information about upgrading to the latest FOSS edition. Active users with access codes on their account for these legacy editions will receive additional email communication. Please ensure that @news.schoolspecialty.com is added to your safe senders list for improved delivery.