Principal’s PowerPoint School Libraries help Gadsden Elementary students achieve!! Carley Conally Chasady Nixon Jamie Calloway Susan Byers

Introduction Strong Library Media Programs with certified media staff are instrumental in affecting and improving student achievement. This can mean the difference between success and failure for many students. This can only be done with support and collaboration with the school administration and the media staff. Together we can make a difference!

Lance studies In a 2011 study, renowned researcher Keith Curry Lance found that there is a strong correlation between strong library media programs and students scoring well on the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) in reading. Four main areas affected achievement.

Lance studies Librarian Staffing Students performed better on the CSAP when there was a full time certified librarian or media specialist. Fewer students performed unsatisfactorily.

Lance studies Library Expenditures Schools that spent more money per student had more students performing proficiently or better on the CSAP and fewer students that performed unsatisfactorily.

Lance studies Library Visits Elementary schools where students visited the school library more often had more students performing at higher levels on the CSAP and fewer students who performed unsatisfactorily.

Baughman studies Dr James C. Baughman, Ph.D. co-creator of the Simmons Study in April of 1999 took on a statewide survey of Massachusetts in order to collect data for their public school libraries. His findings show that this department of the public school system is severely lacking and the children are the ones that are suffering. Schools that do not provide school libraries are presently damaging the children they exist to help.

Baughman studies Baughman’s study also shows that the funding for school libraries has a major impact on your child’s learning. Without the proper funding and resources test scores were much lower in the state of Massachusetts and nationwide. A 1987 news column in American Libraries reported the School Match conclusion this way: “Of all the expenditures that influence a school’s effectiveness including those for facilities, teachers, guidance services, and others—the level of expenditures for library and media services has the highest correlation with student achievement.”

Baughman studies Where it is important for all grade levels to have a sufficient school library Baughman believes it is vital for the elementary level. The Simmons study breaks down the needs of all elementary school libraries in Massachusetts. A child denied resources at the first-grade level cannot realistically be expected to perform well at the 10th-grade level.

Baughman studies Six general needs for elementary schools in Massachusetts per Dr. Baughman in the Simmons study. 1. Hours of service, including before and after school; 2. Strong library collections--per pupil book count, magazines, and non-print items; 3. High library expenditures per pupil; 4. Library instruction and high student use; 5. Alignment of the library collection with the curriculum frameworks; and 6. Robust staffing, including a full-time librarian, non- professional assistance, and parent volunteers.

How can school libraries help academic achievement? In a study conducted in Texas (Smith, 2001), it was established that school libraries do have a measurable effect on student achievement. 10 % more students in schools with a SLMS achieved minimum expectations on the reading portion of the state standardized test over other students in Texas schools without a SLMS (25% of Texas public schools do not have a certified SLMS). Although socio-economic factors are the major factor in low student achievement, those schools whose students scored higher on the reading portion of the state test, allocated more resources to their school media centers.

How can school libraries help academic achievement? In the state of Florida (Baumbach, 2003) a study showed that in schools where the media center is staffed 60 hours per week, there is a direct improvement on test scores: Elementary schools :9% improvement Middle schools : 3.3% improvement High schools: 22.2% improvement

How can school libraries help academic achievement? A study conducted in Delaware (Todd, 2005- 6) showed that 98.2% of students were aided by the school media center with the learning process. This was accomplished when the media center offered: A certified, full-time SLMS A flexible schedule Instructional programs for literacy Access to informational technology

The Key to Having Better Reading Scores... DRUMROLL PLEASE... A Full-Time Librarian According to the "Colorado Study" it was concluded that the size of the library, in terms of staff and its collection is a direct predictor of reading scores. Indirect predictors of achievement include the presence of a professionally trained librarian who plays an active instructional role. 14

Effective Media Centers Equate to Successful Students "School library media centers can contribute to improved student achievement by providing instructional materials aligned to the curriculum; by collaborating with teachers, administrators, and parents; and by extending their hours of operation beyond the school day." "Close Up: NCLB-Improving Literacy through School Libraries," NCLB The Achiever, September 15, 2004, Vol. 3, No 13. 15

The Administrator's Role for a SUCCESSFUL Library Media Program Promote the benefits of library media instruction to teachers and encourage them to collaborate with the library media specialist. Let the library media specialist know that his/her time is valuable and should be focused on activities that contribute to student achievement. Avoid assigning tasks and duties (such as computer troubleshooting and bus duty) that prevent the library media specialist from collaborating, teaching, and keeping the library media center open to students. Also, avoid “pulling” library support personnel for other duties, as this also prevents the library media specialist from focusing on activities that impact student achievement. Make sure that the library media center operates on a flexible schedule and ensure that the library media specialist has an opportunity to collaborate with teachers. Try to make sure that the library media center facility is “open for business” every school day. Make an effort to find other places for testing, voting, picture day, and other activities that limit students’ access to the facility and reduce the library media specialist’s opportunity to provide instruction. 16

In conclusion Research concludes that the school media center and the SLMS are an important factor in school achievement . School media centers play an integral role in student success. Together we can prepare all students for success in the 21st century!

Works Cited Lance, K.C. (2007). The Importance of School Libraries. In White House Conference on School Libraries. Retrieved November 20, 2013, from http://www.laurabushfoundation.com/Lance.pdf Spinks, A. (2009). Library Media Programs and Student Achievement: Research and Research-Based Practices for Library Media Specialists and Education Leaders. Retrieved November 20, 2013, from http://www.cobbk12.org/librarymedia/proof/research.pdf Klenke, A. (2012). Want Better Reading Scores? Hire a Full-Time Librarian. Retrieved on November 20, 2013, from http://www.care2.com/causes/want-better-reading-scores-hire-a-full-time%20librarian.html Scholastic (2007). School Libraries Work! Retrieved on November 21, 2013, from http://www.listuilder.scholastic.com/content/stores/LibraryStore/pages/images/SLW3.pdf 18

Works Cited Smith, E. G. (2001). Texas school libraries: Standards, resources, services, and students' performance. Austin, TX: Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Retrieved November 19, 2013 from http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/schlibsurvey/sur vey.pdf. Baumbach, Donna. (2002). Making the Grade: The Status of School .Library Media Centers in the Sunshine State and How They Contribute to Student Achievement. Spring, TX: Hi Willow Research and Publishing. Todd, Ross J. (2005). Report of the Delaware School Library Survey2004. Georgetown, DE: Governor’s Task Force on School Libraries.

Works Cited Baughman, J. (2000, October). School libraries and MCAS Scores. Paper presented at s symposium sponsored by the Graduate School Of Library and Information Science, Simmons College, Boston, MA. Retrieved January 21, 2004, from http://web.simmons.edu/~baughman/mcas-school- libraries/Baughman%20Paper.pdf