School Library Media Specialists have a secret we want to share with you...."

"Shhh! School Library Media Specialists have a secret we want to share with you...."

We know a way to improve students’ test scores and students’ overall academic success using research based practices!

HOW?!? Strong Library Media Center Programs!

Topics for Discussion: • Staffing • Hours of Operation • Resources • Budget/Expenditure • Technology • Collaboration • Library Media Specialist Led Instruction • Flexible Scheduling • Additional Research Findings

Staffing *Schools with better-staffed libraries have more students who succeed on tests. • Schools with librarians have 35% more 4th grade students who score proficient than schools who don’t have a librarian. • In general, students across the country score better on standardized tests when SLMS and support staff hours are increased per 100 students.

Hours of Operation *Elementary and High Schools who offer longer library hours have students with higher test scores. • Reading and English test scores across the states studied were increased according to the number of hours the library was accessible.

Resources- Print *Students with access to larger, more current book collections achieve higher reading, writing, and ACT scores. • Studies show that more print volumes per student and more periodical subscriptions per 100 students contribute to higher test scores.

Resources- Electronic *Student achievement is enhanced in schools that have more access to technology and electronic resources. • Research shows scores on standardized reading and English tests tended to increase when school libraries: • Spent more money per 100 students on electronic access to information • Were more likely to subscribe to online periodical services • Were more likely to subscribe to CD ROM services

Budget/Expenditures *Higher student achievement is attained when schools spend more money on libraries. • Reading test scores increase with an increase in Library Media expenditures per student. • A well-balanced Library Media Program requires a reasonable budget.

Technology *Student achievement is enhanced when the SLMS manages a computer network through which the library media program reaches beyond its own walls to classrooms, labs, and offices, providing more access to the Internet and WWW. • High Schools with computers that connect to library catalogs and databases average 6.2% improved reading and writing scores.

Collaboration *Test scores rise in both elementary and middle schools as library media specialists and teachers work together. • Test scores increase as the SLMS spends more time: • Planning cooperatively with teachers • Identifying materials for teachers • Teaching information literacy skills, and • Providing in-service training to teachers

SLMS Lead Instruction *Test scores increase as the SMLS spends more time teaching information literacy skills. • Across the study, the key here is that SLMS teach information literacy skills independently AND teach cooperatively with classroom teachers.

Flexible Scheduling *In middle and high schools, student achievement increases as the hours of flexible scheduling in the library increase. • Students in middle and high school who visit the library regularly score higher on test scores.

Additional Research Findings • Test scores tend to be higher when there is a cooperative relationship between the School LMS and the public library. • Students who visit the library regularly have higher Reading and Writing test scores. • Maximizing the Library Program factors leads to a varying increase in test scores (typically 10-20%)

Now that the secret is out, here is what you can do to help: • Encourage your child to use the library any time they can. • Read with your child and discuss books and other media with them. • Be a role model and let your child see you read on a daily basis. • Become an active member of the PTA/PTO and encourage funding be spent on Library Media Programs.

QUESTIONS?

Works Cited: AIME Summary and Response to Survey Results: How Students, Teachers & Principals Benefit from Strong School Libraries: The Indiana Study. Indiana Library Federation, 2007. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://www.ilfonline.org//.htm>. Burgin, Robert, and Pauletta Brown Bracy. An Essential Connection: How Quality School Library Media PRograms Improve Student Achievement in North Carolina. RB Software & Consulting, 2003. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://www.rburgin.com//.pdf>.

Lance, Keith Curry, Christine Hamilton-Pennell, and Marcia J. Rodney. Information Empowered: The School Librarian as an Agent of Academic Achievement in Alaska Schools. Juneau, Alaska: Alaska State Library, 1999. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://www.library.state.ak.us///.pdf>. Lance, Keith Curry, Marcia J. Rodney, and Christine Hamilton-Pennell. Good Schools Have School Librarians: Oregon School Librarians Collaborate to Improve Academic Achievement. Oregon Educational Media Association, 2001. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://www.oema.net/_Study/_Study_exec.pdf>.

How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards: The Second Colorado Study. Colorado State Library, 2000. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://www.lrs.org/documents///.pdf>. Measuring Up to Standards. Greensburg, PA: Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries///.pdf>.

Rodney, Marcia J., Keith Curry Lance, and Christine Hamilton-Pennell. The Impact of Michigan School Librarians on Academic Achievement: Kids Who Have Libraries Succeed. Lansing, Michigan: The Library of Michigan, 2003. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://www.michigan.gov/documents/_lm_schllibstudy03_76626_7.pdf>. Sharka, Jane A. Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners: The Illinois Study. Illinois School Library Media Association, 2005. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://www.islma.org//.pdf>

School Library Media Specialists have a secret we want to share with you...."