School Library Media Specialist is a key component for increasing student

achievement.Are they needed?

Rodney PerryMEDT 6466

Reading is a window to the world. Reading is a foundational skill for learning, personal growth, and enjoyment. The degree to which students can read and understand text in all formats (e.g., picture, video, print) and all contexts is a key indicator of success in school and in life.

(American Association of School Librarians (AASL), Standards for the 21st Century Learner )

Studies conducted over the past two decades, both in Colorado and nationwide, show that students in schools with endorsed librarians score better on standardized achievement tests in reading, compared with students in schools without endorsed librarians.(School libraries & student achievement, 2013)

Library staffing effects on student achievement

Schools that either maintained or gained an endorsed librarian between 2005 and 2011 tended to have more students scoring advanced in reading in 2011 and to have increased their performance more since 2005 (45% and 49%, respectively) than schools that either lost their librarians or never had one ( 33% and 29%).

(Lance, k. & Hofschiare, L. 2012)

Elementary schools with at least one full-time endorsed librarian averaged better CSAP performance than those with less than one full-time endorsed librarian.

Elementary schools with librarians averaged 68 to 72 percent of students scoring proficient or advanced and 9 to 11 percent scoring unsatisfactory. Schools without librarians averaged 64 to 68 percent scoring proficient or advanced and 12 to 13 percent unsatisfactory .(Lance, k. & Hofschiare, L. 2012)

A Massachusetts study conducted in 2000 by Professor James Baughman of Simmons College has shown a direct correlation between the quality of school library programs and student achievement as measured by the state's MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) tests.

• At each grade level school library programs increase MCAS scores.        • At each grade level, students score higher on MCAS tests when there is a higher per pupil book count.        • At each grade level, student use of the library produces higher MCAS scores.

(Baughman, J.,2002)

Effective role of a School Media Specialist Instructional Partner- collaborating with teachers to help

plan effective lesson plans using the 21st century standards and communicating with member of the school community in efforts to guide student learning effectiveness.

Information Specialist- being attuned to technology to help deliver effective instruction through technology to students and global community.

Teacher- empowering students to think critical and to evaluate effective information for purpose of assignment.

Program Administrator- having resources available that is needed to support the interest of the school and community.

Why is the Media Specialist a necessity to student achievement?Numerous research shows how media specialist job

performance increase student learningTeacher collaboration to plan effective lessons through

21st century standards for student achievementTechnology to enhance the lesson’s delivery to increase

understanding of curriculum and assessment scores.Selecting resources that are of interest to the school

population to increase academic reading as well as recreation.

Being a curriculum leader helps to achieve positive academic measures for the school needs improvement plan.

An Effective Student Learning FormulaSchool

+

School Media Specialist

=

Student learning success

Status of Staley Middle Media CenterOne full time media specialistDestiny automated systemFixed and flexible schedule to have full use of

media centerArrangement of facility to serve all of school

populationAdvisory committee to help in selecting

resources

What's the VerdictLet’s keep the media specialist at the top

of the list for student achievement!

ReferencesAmerican Association of School Librarians (2009).Empowering learners:Guidelines

for school library programs. Chicago, IL:American Library Association.

Baughman, J. (2002). School Libraries and MCAS Scores: A Paper Presented at a Symposium Sponsored by the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Simmons College. Boston, MA.

Lance, K., & Hofschire, L. (2012). Change in School Librarian Staffing Linked with Change in CSAP Reading Performance, 2005 to 2011. Denver, CO: Colorado State Library, Library Research Service.

School l ibraries & student achievement.(2013). Library research service. Retrieved from http://www.lrs.org/documents /school/school_library_impact.pdf