The “Lance-a-lot” of School Library Studies

1. The “Lance-a-lot” of School Library Studies Alaska School Libraries DO Work! Pennsylvania From Sea to Shining Sea: Linking Libraries to Student Achievement By Lorrie Heagy

2. Alaska • Colorado • Illinois • Iowa • Massachusetts • Michigan • New Mexico • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Texas What do these 10 states all have in common? They have all been a part of one man’s quest to collect quantifiable data on school libraries & student achievement! His name is Dr. Keith Curry Lance

3. Lance’s 1st State Study Because Lance conducted research in over 3,000 schools across the country, he has become a knight in shining armor for school librarians everywhere by recognizing their impact on student achievement. 200 schools grades 4,7 Colorado (2000) That’s a lot of studies! That’s why he’s earned the title: “Lance-a-lot” of Library Studies

4. 435 schools grades 5,8,11 211 schools grades 4,8,11 Pennsylvania (2000) Alaska (2000) 519 schools grades 4,8,10 513 schools grades 5,8,10 600 schools grades 5,8,10 Oregon (2001) Texas (2001) Massachusetts (2000) Michigan (2003) 657 schools grades K-12 380 schools grades 4,8,10 506 schools grades 4,8,11 370schools grades 4,7,11 Illinois (2005) Iowa (2002) New Mexico (2002) The validity and reliability of his studies were tested over… and over.. AGAIN! and over..

5. Powerful Library Research Studies Here are a few highlights from several of “Lance-a-lot’s” successful state library quests. ALASKA (1999): Students in Alaska’s secondary schools with full-timeteacher-librarians were almost twice as likely as those without teacher-librarians to score average or above-average on California-Achievement Tests (CATS). COLORADO (1993 & 2000): Elementary school students with the most collaborative teacher-librarians scored 21% higher on Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) reading than students with the least collaborative teacher librarians (2000). MICHIGAN (2003): At elementary schools with the highest Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) reading scores, teachers and students are 4 times as likely to be able to visit the library on a flexibly scheduled basis, compared to their counterparts at the lowest scoring schools.

6. The Program The Place Student Academic Achievement The Professional The “Lance-a lot”studies conducted across the country verified that students perform better academically when these three elements of the library are working together. Here’s what each Library Round Table holds … American Library Association. (2003). Toolkit for School Library Media Programs, Chicago: American Library Association. The Library “Round Tables” of Academic Achievement

7. THE PROGRAM School library programs influence learning outcomes and student achievement when: • Librarians collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate literature and information literacy skills into the curriculum • Librarians partner with classroom teachers on projects that help students use a variety of resources, conduct research and present their findings. • Librarians are supported fiscally and programmatically by the educational community to achieve the mission of the school. Librarians are instructional partners and program administrators.

8. THE PROFESSIONAL Librarians are crucial to the teaching and learning process when: • They are partners in educating students, developing curricula and integratingresources. • They teach the skills students need to become effective users of ideas and information. • They seek, select, evaluate and utilize electronic resources and tools and instruct teacher and students in how to use them. Librarians are teachers and information specialists.

9. THE PLACE • Quality collections are provided, in print and online, that support the curriculum and address a variety of learning needs. School libraries are places of opportunity when: • Students can work individually or in small groups on research and collaborative projects. • Students develop a love of reading and literature and can explore the world around them through print and electronic media. A student-centered library is grounded on the principles of collaboration, technology & leadership.

10. COMMON ELEMENTS THAT IMPACT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT The “Lance-a-lot” library studies had these findings in common: • Professionally-trained and credentialed school librarians are needed. • Collaboration between teachers and librarians is essential. • Support staff is necessary to free librarians from routine tasks. • Librarians are teachers of students and in-service trainers of teachers. • Librarians must embrace technology to be effective. These noble truths help prepare and guide our librarians for the 21st century.

11. School Librarian’s Resolution “Credentialed school library media professionals promote, inspire, and guide students toward a love of reading, a quest for knowledge, and a thirst for lifelong learning.” Here is our School Librarian’s Oath: “In Support of Credentialed Library Media Professionals in School Library Media Centers.” A Summary of a Board Resolution of the International Reading Association, May 2000.

12. 10 States Can’t Be Wrong! The “Lance-a-lot” of School Library Studies Alaska And still counting! School Libraries DO Work! Pennsylvania From Sea to Shining Sea: Linking Libraries to Student Achievement

13. Bibliography • American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology, Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning, Chicago: American Library Association,1998. • Lance, Keith Curry. "How School Librarians Leave No Child behind: the Impact of School Library Media Programs on Academic Achievement of U.S. Public School Students." School Libraries in Canada 22.2 (2002): 3-6. Academic SearchPremier. EBSCO. North Hall Library, Mansfield, PA. 29 Apr. 2007 <http://search.ebscohost.com/>. • Library Research Service. School Libraryﾊ Impact Studies.2004. Colorado Department of Education.22 April 2004. http://www.lrs.org/impact.asp. • Loertscher, David V., Compiler. Keeping Up With the Research Linking Schoolﾊ Library Media Center Programs to Achievement: A Handout.ﾊ 21 June 2005 American Library Association. 4 Jan 2006 http://www.davidvl.org/research.html • School Libraries Work! Scholastic. 2006. 28 Apr. 2007. http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/printables/downloads/slw_2006.pdf