The size of a school library's staff and collection is the best
single predictor of student academic achievement, outweighing
school spending in general, the income and education of the parents,
and the teacher-pupil ratio.
-The
Impact of School Library Media Centers on Academic Achievement
"Teaching
students how to find information rather than memorize information"
was ranked highest in importance in this year's Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Issues Survey. Eighty-four
percent of the more than 4,400 ASCD members participating in the
survey rated the statement 5 or 6 on a six-point scale (with 6
meaning "extremely important"). The survey results will
guide ASCD's Issues Committee as it develops proposed positions
to be considered for adoption by the ASCD Board of Directors.
2000
NEW
STUDY SHOWS IMPACT OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES, LIBRARIANS, ON STUDENTS
DENVER,
COLORADO -- Educators and parents agree children need good skills
to succeed in school. But how do they gain these skills? A new
study shows that strong library media programs are an important
component.
"How
School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards-the Second Colorado
Study," just released by the Library Research Service of
the Colorado State Library, Colorado Department of Education,
demonstrates that student scores on standardized tests are ten
to eighteen percent higher at schools with outstanding library
media programs and staff.
Deputy
Commission of Education Dick Elmer said, "We are beginning
to isolate data which enables us to determine the factors that
contribute to higher student achievement on the CSAP (Colorado
Student Assessment Program) test. I've always believed school
libraries play a critical role in successful teaching. I'm not
surprised they contribute to higher CSAP scores."
The
study found that CSAP reading scores are higher in schools whose
library media programs are better staffed, stocked, and funded,
and where library media specialists play a leadership role in
their schools, collaborate with classroom teachers in the design
and delivery of instruction, and utilize computer networks to
extend the reach of the library media center throughout the school.
*
School library media specialists who are leaders meet regularly
with their principals, serve with teachers on standards and curriculum
committees, and meet regularly with their own staff.
*
Collaborative library media specialists provide in-service training
and planning assistance to teachers as well as deliver information
literacy instruction to students.
*
"Hi-tech" library media programs utilize local or wide-area
networks to make information resources available to students and
teachers in classrooms, labs, offices-wherever learning is taking
place.
The
research took into consideration school differences such as district
expenditures per pupil, teacher/pupil ratio, and community differences
such as racial/ethnic and income demographics. The relationship
between library media factors and test scores is not explained
away by other school or community conditions.
The
study was a follow-up to a 1993 study. In 1993, the Colorado State
Library published "The Impact of School Library Media Centers
on Academic Achievement." This first study demonstrated that
quality library media programs led to higher student test scores.
The replication and expansion of the study in 1999 also looked
at Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) scores.
It
corroborates the original findings as well as evaluating the role
of the school librarian media specialist and the relationship
between better school library services and better student performance.
Similar recent studies for Alaska and Pennsylvania also support
these findings. The study was conducted by the Colorado State
Library and the University of Denver Library & Information
Services Department.
For
a variety of documents related to the study, visit the Internet
at http://www.lrs.org.
The University of Denver Library & Information Services Department
will publish the complete study shortly through Hi Willow Publishing,
P O Box 720400, San Jose, CA 95172-0400, 1.800.873.3043; http://www.lmcsource.com
http://www.lmcsource.com.