Dear Principal: What impact can the school media program have on student achievement? Let’s find out!

Research Findings: According to studies conducted by Keith C. Lance, students score an average of % higher on reading and achievement tests when the school that they attend has a strong library media program.

Factors that impact achievement: Appropriate staff (certified media specialist, paraprofessionals) Collaboration with teachers Large collection of quality materials Time spent using media center resources Greater funding for the media center Increased hours of operation Flexible scheduling Integrated information literacy lessons

Appropriate Staffing A certified media specialist contributes to student achievement by optimizing other factors, such as quality of information resources, level of patron usage, and level of instructional collaboration.

Collaboration Buzzeo states “Teacher/ librarian collaborative instruction (team planned, team taught, team evaluated) is the most effective means to teach information literacy skills in order to improve student achievement.”

Flexible Scheduling Test scores increase in schools where the school library media center operates on a flexible schedule versus a fixed schedule. Teaching skills in isolation does little to extend learning; while implementing flexible scheduling allows for instruction at the time of need which leads to greater retention and application of knowledge.

Factors that do NOT impact achievement: Student demographics Student to teacher ratio Per-pupil spending Community socio-economic conditions If the school has a strong media program, students will achieve at a higher level regardless of the above conditions!

“What a school thinks about its library is a measure of what it thinks about education.” --Harold Howe former U.S. Commissioner of Education

References: Baughman, J. (2000, October). School libraries and MCAS Scores. Paper presented at symposium sponsored by the Graduate School Of Library and Information Science, Simmons College, Boston, MA. Retrieved from libraries/Baughman%20Paper.pdf Baumbach, D. (2002). Making the grade: The status of school library media centers in the sunshine state and how they contribute to student achievement. Retrieved from Buzzeo, T. & Wilson, S. (2007). Data driven collaboration in two voices. Library Media Connection, 10, Creighton, P. (2007). Just how flexible are we? The current state of scheduling in school libraries. Library Media Connection, 11, Lance, K.C., Rodney, M.J. & Hamilton-Pennell, C. (2000). Measuring up to standards: The impact of school library programs & information literacy in Pennsylvania schools. Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries. Retrieved from up.pdf up.pdf Lance, K.C., Rodney, M.J., Hamilton-Pennell, C. Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners: The Illinois Study. Retrieved from Quantitative Resources, LLC. (2003). Show me connection: How school library media center services affect student achievement. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Retrieved from