Schools NEED Librarians! Achievement Scores Improve with School Library Media Programs Christy Falls 6466 Achievement Scores Improve with School Library Media Programs Christy Falls 6466

Letter to Principal / With this rapidly changing world of technology, some people believe that media specialists will become a thing of the past! / It is my hope that this presentation will express just how important it is to have media specialists. Studies have proven that a quality media specialist can help improve the test scores of students. I hope you enjoy! / With this rapidly changing world of technology, some people believe that media specialists will become a thing of the past! / It is my hope that this presentation will express just how important it is to have media specialists. Studies have proven that a quality media specialist can help improve the test scores of students. I hope you enjoy!

“ Academic achievement increases as the number of professional and support personnel in the school library increases. ”

Colorado Study (Dr. Keith Lance) / The study confirmed that academic achievement was affected in 220 Colorado schools when: / There was a professional library media specialist on site / The library media specialist collaborated with teachers to create exciting learning experiences using the library media resources / The library media collection contained large amounts of quality print and multimedia materials. / The study confirmed that academic achievement was affected in 220 Colorado schools when: / There was a professional library media specialist on site / The library media specialist collaborated with teachers to create exciting learning experiences using the library media resources / The library media collection contained large amounts of quality print and multimedia materials.

Schools NEED Librarians! / Another key finding of the Colorado study found that: / Scores increase when media specialists spend more time as in-service trainers of other teachers. Here they can keep them up-to-date on the constantly changing world of information. / Another key finding of the Colorado study found that: / Scores increase when media specialists spend more time as in-service trainers of other teachers. Here they can keep them up-to-date on the constantly changing world of information.

Test scores increase as library media specialists spend more time:  Planning cooperatively with teachers (7th grade)  Identifying materials for teachers  T eaching information literacy skills to students  Providing in-service training to teachers, and  Managing a computer network through which the library media program reaches beyond its own walls to classrooms, labs, and offices (7th grade).  Planning cooperatively with teachers (7th grade)  Identifying materials for teachers  T eaching information literacy skills to students  Providing in-service training to teachers, and  Managing a computer network through which the library media program reaches beyond its own walls to classrooms, labs, and offices (7th grade).

Comparison of Top 25 Scoring Schools with Lowest 25 Scoring / Staffing in Pennsylvania / Professional staff hours/week / 5th grade vs % difference / 8th grade vs % difference / 11th grade vs % difference / Support staff hours/week / 5th grade vs % difference / 8th grade vs % difference / 11th grade vs % difference / Staffing in Pennsylvania / Professional staff hours/week / 5th grade vs % difference / 8th grade vs % difference / 11th grade vs % difference / Support staff hours/week / 5th grade vs % difference / 8th grade vs % difference / 11th grade vs % difference

Conclusion in Pennsylvania / Support staff was the key difference between strong and weak library media programs. / Professionals alone cannot make a major difference because of the load of clerical and technical work. Librarians need to have the opportunity to work more closely with teachers and students. / Support staff was the key difference between strong and weak library media programs. / Professionals alone cannot make a major difference because of the load of clerical and technical work. Librarians need to have the opportunity to work more closely with teachers and students.

Lance Studies / Studies conducted in 6 states: Alaska, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Oregon, Iowa, and New Mexico / These studies replicate and expand upon the earlier Colorado study / Studies conducted in 6 states: Alaska, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Oregon, Iowa, and New Mexico / These studies replicate and expand upon the earlier Colorado study

Lance Studies / Findings from these studies deal with: / School Library Development / Leadership / Collaboration & Information Literacy / Technology / Findings from these studies deal with: / School Library Development / Leadership / Collaboration & Information Literacy / Technology

: School Library Development / Higher test scores result from: / Higher levels of staff / Larger collections of print & electronic resources / More Funding / Original Colorado study results showed that librarians should play a “strong instructional role”. Unfortunately, the report did not state what that means so librarians did not know how they should perform differently on the job. / Higher test scores result from: / Higher levels of staff / Larger collections of print & electronic resources / More Funding / Original Colorado study results showed that librarians should play a “strong instructional role”. Unfortunately, the report did not state what that means so librarians did not know how they should perform differently on the job.

: Leadership / Activities that define leadership include: / Meeting frequently with the principal / Attending and participating in faculty meetings / Serving on standards and curriculum committees / Meeting with library colleagues at building, district, and higher levels. / Activities that define leadership include: / Meeting frequently with the principal / Attending and participating in faculty meetings / Serving on standards and curriculum committees / Meeting with library colleagues at building, district, and higher levels.

Collaboration & Information Literacy / Important activities are: / Identifying useful materials and information for teachers / Planning instruction cooperatively with teachers / Providing in-service training to teachers / Teaching students both with classroom teachers and independently. / Important activities are: / Identifying useful materials and information for teachers / Planning instruction cooperatively with teachers / Providing in-service training to teachers / Teaching students both with classroom teachers and independently.

Technology / Probably the most dramatic change since the original Colorado study is in the area of instructional technology. / School libraries have computer networks that make it possible to reach out to the community / It is found that when schools have computer networks that provide remote access to library resources (Web & licensed databases) - test scores tend to be higher / Probably the most dramatic change since the original Colorado study is in the area of instructional technology. / School libraries have computer networks that make it possible to reach out to the community / It is found that when schools have computer networks that provide remote access to library resources (Web & licensed databases) - test scores tend to be higher

 “ School libraries are a powerful force in the lives of America ﾕ s children. The school library is one of the few factors whose contribution to academic achievement has been documented empirically, and it is a contribution that cannot be explained away by other powerful influences on student performance. ”

Dr. Lance is conducting a current study!  Keep up to date on Dr. Lance’s latest study by visiting this website: / ent.php?pid= ent.php?pid=  Keep up to date on Dr. Lance’s latest study by visiting this website: / ent.php?pid= ent.php?pid=289948

Baughman Research The Simmons Study of school libraries in Massachusetts found that higher test scores were seen when : / Schools had a full-time librarian, as well as library staff assistance. / The library provided student instruction, used an automated collection, and aligned itself with state curricular frameworks. / The libraries were open more hours, student use was higher, the per pupil book count was higher, and more money per student was available for the library program. The Simmons Study of school libraries in Massachusetts found that higher test scores were seen when : / Schools had a full-time librarian, as well as library staff assistance. / The library provided student instruction, used an automated collection, and aligned itself with state curricular frameworks. / The libraries were open more hours, student use was higher, the per pupil book count was higher, and more money per student was available for the library program.

Research shows you need a Certified Media Specialist / The media specialist has become an essential part of a school’s faculty. / Media Specialists are leaders that are charged with the task of helping integrate the digital world into today’s classroom and throughout the curriculum. / The media specialist has become an essential part of a school’s faculty. / Media Specialists are leaders that are charged with the task of helping integrate the digital world into today’s classroom and throughout the curriculum.

When the Media Specialist collaborates with Teachers: / Quality learning experiences are created. / Information literacy is taught (finding, using, and effectively communicating information). / In-service training for teachers is provided. Research Findings: Library media specialists collaborating with teachers to build quality learning experiences contribute to academic achievement. / Quality learning experiences are created. / Information literacy is taught (finding, using, and effectively communicating information). / In-service training for teachers is provided. Research Findings: Library media specialists collaborating with teachers to build quality learning experiences contribute to academic achievement.

Media Specialists Have: Information Power / Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning was published by the American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology was published in 1998 to foster improvement in school library media programs. / This was written to give School Librarians standards to guide their programs. This allows them to incorporate Information Literacy standards with the state curriculum standards. / Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning was published by the American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology was published in 1998 to foster improvement in school library media programs. / This was written to give School Librarians standards to guide their programs. This allows them to incorporate Information Literacy standards with the state curriculum standards.

Information Power / Built upon a set of 9 Information Literacy Standards. / Designed to support the Media Specialist in 3 major areas: 1. Learning and teaching 2. Information access 3. Program administration / Built upon a set of 9 Information Literacy Standards. / Designed to support the Media Specialist in 3 major areas: 1. Learning and teaching 2. Information access 3. Program administration

The 21 st Century Librarian / “Library media specialists have become one of the most important instructional partners, working with teachers and administrators to change what is possible in the classroom.” – Eric Weil / “Library media specialists have become one of the most important instructional partners, working with teachers and administrators to change what is possible in the classroom.” – Eric Weil

New Roles for Library Media Specialists / Media specialists must have the knowledge, expertise, and experience of a teacher combined with knowledge of the total library media collection and other resources outside the center that relate to and enhance the curriculum. / Library media specialists "should bring their knowledge of research, teaching methodology, curriculum development, learning theory, and instructional development to the process of teaching."(28) / Media specialists must have the knowledge, expertise, and experience of a teacher combined with knowledge of the total library media collection and other resources outside the center that relate to and enhance the curriculum. / Library media specialists "should bring their knowledge of research, teaching methodology, curriculum development, learning theory, and instructional development to the process of teaching."(28)

YOU NEED US! / School library media specialists touch the educational lives of every student and teacher in a school. / Media Specialists are in a unique position to have a huge impact on student learning because they work directly on a full-time basis with students, teachers, and the curriculum. / School library media specialists touch the educational lives of every student and teacher in a school. / Media Specialists are in a unique position to have a huge impact on student learning because they work directly on a full-time basis with students, teachers, and the curriculum.

Bibliography / American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology. (1998). Information power: Partnerships for learning. Chicago: American Library Association. / Francis, B.H., Lance, K.C.., Lietzau,Z. (2010). School librarians continue to help students achieve standards: The third Colorado study (2010). (Closer Look Report). Denver, CO: Colorado State Library. Retrieved from / Hamilton-Pennell, C. Lance, K.C., Rodney, M.J. (2000). How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards: The Second Colorado Study (2000). Denver, CO: Colorado State Library. Retrieved from / American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology. (1998). Information power: Partnerships for learning. Chicago: American Library Association. / Francis, B.H., Lance, K.C.., Lietzau,Z. (2010). School librarians continue to help students achieve standards: The third Colorado study (2010). (Closer Look Report). Denver, CO: Colorado State Library. Retrieved from / Hamilton-Pennell, C. Lance, K.C., Rodney, M.J. (2000). How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards: The Second Colorado Study (2000). Denver, CO: Colorado State Library. Retrieved from

Bibliography Cont. / Lance, K. C. & Loertscher, D. V. (2002). Powering achievement: School library media programs make a difference: The evidence mounts (2nd ed.). San Jose, CA: Hi Willow Research and Publishing.