LET’S RAISE THOSE SCORES!

The Media Center Can Make It Happen

Image Created by: Penny Jo Chaney 2011

A school library media specialist is…

An information specialist

“The library media specialist provides leadership and expertise in acquiring and evaluating information. Modeling… ethical uses of information. (Information Power, 1998)”

A school library media specialist is…

An instructional partner

An information specialist

Mickey Mouse Club (2006). Your Library [Recorded by Ludwig Von Drake] on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Walt Disney Records

A school library media specialist is…

An instructional partner

“The library media specialist works closely with individual teachers in… designing authentic learning tasks and assessments and integrating information and communication abilities (Information Power, 1998).”

How can a fully-staffed media center help our school?

Research Shows:

• Studies conducted by James C. Baughman, Keith C. Lance, Robert Burgin, & others are consistent in showing the relationship between high student achievement and quality school library media center programs.

Media Center Aspects Important To EnsureMiddle School Student Success(Baughman, 2000)

• Library availability extended to include before & after school hours;

• Adequate books per student count ; • Teachers & students must have access to a variety of

periodicals, including periodical databases;• Respectable expenditure per pupil for materials;

Media Center Aspects Important To EnsureMiddle School Student Success

(Baughman, 2000)

• Library instruction programs for students and staff;• Participation in the regional library system; and• Parent volunteers, including PTSA donations and

fundraisers

Improving Standardized Reading & English Test Scores in Middle & High Schools(Burgin & Brown, 2003)

•The Burgin & Brown study supports Baughman’s findings that in order to ensure academic success for students of all ages, a well funded library media center program must be in place in every school.

Additional Media Center Areas That Ensure Student Success(Burgin & Brown, 2003)

• Current, up-to-date literature;• Adequate funding for electronic resources;• CD ROM services and subscriptions

Keith Curry Lance’s Findings

There is a direct correlation between library media centers and their programs to student

success.• “When school libraries have higher levels of professional

and total staffing, larger collections of print and electronic resources, and more funding, students tend to earn higher scores on state reading tests” (Lance, n.d.).

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The Colorado Study“Reading is a window to the world. Reading is a fundamental skill for

learning, personal growth and enjoyment”

(Lance & Hofschire, 2012). • Lance’s Colorado Study demonstrated

there is a positive relationship between increased reading levels and “endorsed library staffing trends” (Lance & Hofschire, 2012).

• School libraries and media specialists DO impact student achievement!

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The Colorado Study: The Numbers

• Based on Lance’s Colorado Study: • Schools that gained or maintained their

“endorsed librarian” between 2005 and 2011 had more students score advanced in reading in 2011 (Lance & Hofschire, 2012).

• Fewer students scored unsatisfactory in reading if the school had an “endorsed librarian” employed (Lance & Hofschire, 2012). (Clip Art)

The Impact of School Library Media Centerson Academic Achievement Study

• Students scored higher on standardized tests when their schools had more library staff, more books, periodicals, and multimedia resources regardless of economic factors

• Students continually displayed higher academic achievement in schools that had a large collection and that was well-staffed

(Dzikowski, 2002).

Reading AchievementVoluntary reading best predicts student comprehension, vocabulary development, and improved writing abilities.

• Students who had access to school library media centers participated in more voluntary reading

• Schools that had a school library media specialist experienced more voluntary reading

• Large collections increased students involvement in voluntary reading

(Dzikowski, 2002).

The Landmark Ohio StudyResults of study found the following results:

• “Nearly 100% of the students who took part in the research study indicated that the school library, its services and library media specialists have helped them with their learning”

(“School Libraries,” 2008, p. 22).

• Highly certified media specialists played vital roles in facilitating learning and promoting information literacy

• Media specialists that worked to create a whole school library program and provided learning opportunities assisted in meeting the achievement goals set in place by the schools.

(“School Libraries,” 2008).

Indiana StudyBetter performing schools had principals who placed significant value on the following:

• In-service opportunities for classroom teachers• Met with media specialists on a regular basis• Media specialists served on school leadership committees

• Promoted collaboration among media specialist and classroom teachers

(“School Libraries,” 2008).

A Florida study found…

Higher LM staffing levelsand

Higher LM staffing hoursand

Higher circulation numbers

EQUALED

Higher student achievement scoresBaumbach, 2002

Multiple state studies demonstrate the same truth… strong, supported library media programs raise student

achievement.INDICATOR EXAMINED STATE STUDY

Library media staffing hours (Library media specialists and paraprofessional clerical staff)

Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania

Certified school library mediaspecialist

Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin

Library-based instruction Alaska, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania

Collaborative planning and instruction between LMS and classroom teachers

Colorado, Iowa, Oregon

Print volumes per student Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Oregon,Pennsylvania, Texas

Usage of library (as measured by LMC visits or by high numbers of per student book check outs)

Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon

Michie, Chaney, and Office of Planning, 2009

In a survey conducted by Todd and Kuhlthau, 13,000 students indicated just how much they valued the school library media

program.

• 88.5% of students• credit SLM programs

with better grades on projects and assignments

• 74.7% of students believe SLM programs help them with homework.

• Student respondents placed technology instruction among their top priorities for their SLM programs.

• The vast majority of students noted library-based instruction as a vital resource in learning to access, assess, process, and use information.

(Whelan, 2004)

What do we need to work towards to make our program stronger and our students more successful?

References• Achterman, D. L. (2008). Haves, halves, and have-nots: School libraries and student

achievement in california. (Doctoral dissertation), Available from UNT Digital Library. Retrieved from http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc9800/m1/2/

• Baughman, J. C., Ph.D. (2000). School Libraries and MCAS Scores. Simmons. Retrieved from http://web.simmons.edu/~baughman/mcas-school-libraries/Baughman%20Paper.pdf.

• Baumbach, D. (2002). Making the Grade: The Status of School Library Media Centers in the Sunshine State and How They Contribute to Student Achievement. Retrieved from http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/library_resources/Documents/MakingTheGradeSummary.pdf Michie, J. S., Chaney, B. W., & Office of Planning, E. (2009). Second evaluation of the improving literacy through school libraries program. US Department Of Education. Retrieved from

• Burgin, R., & Brown, P. B. (2003). An Essential Connection: How Quality School Library Media Programs Improve Student Achievement in North Carolina (Rep.).Retrieved February 28, 2013, from http://www.lrs.org/documents/impact/NCSchoolStudy.pdf.

• Dzikowski, J. (2002). Facts at a glance...student achievement and school library media programs. Retrieved from http://www.northnet.org/slsa/facts glance2002.pdf

• Lance, K. (n.d.) The Importance of School Libraries. Laura Bush Foundation. Retrieved from http:// www.laurabushfoundation.com/Lance.pdf

• Lance, K., & Hofschire, L. (2012). School Library Staffing Linked with Gaines in Student Achievement, 2005 to 2011. Teacher Librarian, 39 (6). 15-19.

References (Continued)• School libraries work. (2008). Retrieved from

http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/s/slw3_2008.pdf

• Dzikowski, J. (2002). Facts at a glance...student achievement and school library media programs. Retrieved from http://www.northnet.org/slsa/facts glance2002.pdf

• School libraries work. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/s/slw3_2008.pdf

• http://www.eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED504205

• Whelan, L. D. (2004). 13,000 kids can't be wrong. School Library Journal, 50(2), 46-50. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=cfcee934-af2f-4e23-ba31-859d1e84e9c5%40sessionmgr104&vid=4&hid=105