Media Matters – Did you Know? Pitt County Schools Media and Technology Programs
Research has shown that quality library media programs have a significant impact on student achievement.
Here’s a sampling of findings from various states and researchers.
In Minnesota (Baxter and Smalley, 2003) student reading achievement in elementary and secondary schools is related to school library media spending. In Oregon (Lance, Rodney, Hamilton-Pennel, 2001) incremental increases in staffing, collections, and budgets led to incremental increases in reading scores.
Pennsylvania (Lance, Rodney, Hamilton- Pennel, 2000) middle schools with the highest test scores spend twice as much on their libraries as the lowest scoring schools. In Texas (Smith, 2001), staffing levels, collection sizes, librarian interaction with staff and students, and library technology levels have a positive association with student performance at all levels.
Achterman, Doug L., et al. "The Sower: Interview with Keith Curry Lance." School Library Journal (Oct ): 9 Sep Burgin, Robert, and Pauletta B. Bracy. An Essential Connection: How Quality School Library Media Programs Improve Student Achievement in North Carolina. Cary, NC: RB Software and Consulting, North Carolina Library Association. 10 Sep Hamilton-Pennel, Christine, et al. "Dick and Jane Go to the Head Of the Class." School Library Journal (Apr ): 9 Sep
Impact: Guidelines for North Carolina Media and Technology Programs. Raleigh: Division of Instructional Technology, NC Dept. of Public Instruction, NC State Board of Education. 8 Sep Lance, Keith C, Christine Hamilton-Pennel, and Marcia J. Rodney. Information Empowered: The School Librarian as an Agent of Academic Achievement in Alaska Schools. Juneau: Alaska State Library, Sep Lance, Keith C, Marcia J. Rodney, and Christine Hamilton-Pennel. How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards: The Second Colorado Study (2000). Denver: Library Research Service, Colorado State Library and Colorado Dept. of Education. 14 Sep
Lance, Keith C, Marcia J. Rodney, and Becky Russell. How Students, Teachers, and Principals Benefit from Strong School Libraries: The Indiana Study RSL Research, Indiana Dept. of Education. 11 Sep Lance, Keith C., Marcia J. Rodney, and Christine Hamilton-Pennel. Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners: The Illinois Study. Canton, IL: Illinois School Library Association, Illinois State Board of Education. 14 Sep Library Research Service Impact Page. Library Research Service. 8 Sep
School Libraries Work. Scholastic Library Publishing, Research Paper Foundation. 8 Sep Whelan, Debra L., et al. "13,000 Kids Can't Be Wrong." School Library Journal (Feb ): 9 Sep