School Libraries and Student AchievementA look at the positive correlation between effective school libraries, endorsed Media Specialists, and higher test scores

Mary ElfersMEDT 6466Fall, 2011

3rd Colorado Study (2010)Stronger Libraries – reduced % of

students receiving unsatisfactory CSAP scores, helping to close the achievement gap

Staffing – schools with at least one full time

endorsed librarian averaged better scores

Expenditures – Elementary schools that spent more on their libraries earned better reading performance

3rd Colorado Study (2010)Library Visits – Elementary schools with

libraries visited by students more, scored better

Periodical and Video Collections – Schools with average or better collections scored better

Achievement Gap – Effective school libraries can be of greater help to students who are struggling from the achievement gap than to those already performing at grade level or better.

James Baughman Study (2000)

“What a school thinks about its library is a measure of what it thinks about education.”

--Harold Howe former U.S. Commissioner of Education

Test scores are higher when: Schools have libraries Schools have a higher per pupil book count Schools have libraries with increased student use Schools have a library instruction program School libraries have higher expenditures School libraries have a full time librarian Library is aligned with state curriculum frameworks

Mansfield University Graduate Study – School Library and Information Technologies Department

Staffing - The presence of a full time, certified librarian affects student achievement. “The presence of a librarian was the single strongest predictor of reading enjoyment for both grades 3 and 6 students.”

Collaboration - Student test scores were higher the more time librarians worked cooperatively with classroom teachers, the more they taught information literacy independently, and the more they provided in-service training to teachers

Instruction – “Students see that they get good grades, particularly on research projects and assignments, when there is a highly qualified school librarian to instruct and help them.”

Mansfield Graduate Study cont…Scheduling – Elementary schools with more

flexibly scheduled librarians scored better in reading and writing

Access – Studies show that more access to libraries and library services increases student success rate

Summer Reading Programs – One state study showed positive correlation between participation in summer reading programs and student achievement.

Mansfield Graduate Study cont…

Technology – Higher achieving schools had more network connected computers throughout the school.

Collections – Schools with newer collections had higher test scores

Budget – Schools that spend more on their library programs reported higher test scores

Professional Development – Study reports supported administrations that encouraged librarians to lead professional development in service training

Achievement Gap – “The study demonstrated that libraries can play a very special role in providing enrichment to those students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and who need additional help to develop the skills they will need to succeed.”

Media Specialists = LeadersImproving Academic Achievement

“The leadership qualities that the school librarian must develop to become an effective information specialist include developing a sense of trust with the staff, communicating effectively, being patient, and understanding and sharing the school’s vision” – Jody K. Howard, Ph.D

School librarians as Instructional Leaders

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi8KWFxxACw

School Librarians as Master Teachers and Collaborators

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03RRmRPlixg&feature=related

School Librarians Cultivate 21st Century Learners

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MuGDMlbSso&feature=related

ReferencesBaughman, J. C. (2000). School Libraries and MCAS Scores.

Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Simmons College, Boston, MA.

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, Library Research Service.

Kachel, D. B., graduate students of Mansfield University. (2011). School Library Research Summarized: A Graduate Class Project. School Library and Information Technologies Department. Mansfield, PA.

Howard, J. K. (2010). Information Specialist and Leader – Taking on Collection and Curriculum Mapping. School Library Monthly, Sep-Oct, 2010.

References cont…Google Images from:

http://librarycartoons.wordpress.com/category/comic-strips/calvin-and-hobbes/

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/i/information_retrieval.asp

http://www.librarian-image.net/img07/