NCLB: What’s a Principal to Do?Library Media Programs and Student

Achievement

Laverne Proctor

MEDT 6466

Spring 2013

guidepost.med

The “BIG QUESTION”

“How can our school increase student achievement?”

Research Findings

Library media programs and library media specialists

impact student achievement!

School Libraries Work! Updated 2008 edition

Keith Lance

A series of research studies were conducted which impacted the way school libraries and librarians are viewed. Keith Lance lead a team of researchers to show how great library media programs can have a positive influence on student achievement and result in higher tests scores.

James C. Baughman

James Baughman conducted research in Massachusetts and found that the highest performing schools have an exemplary library media program. In his findings, he found that there is strong correlation between student achievement and school libraries.

James C. Baughman

Baughman looked at similar studies found in Alaska, Colorado 1 and 2, Pennsylvania, and Texas. All studies were similar in their findings in the areas of teaching, staffing, budget, collaboration, and leadership.

Research has shown that student achievement is higher when…

Library media centers are staffed at higher levels (more positions, more hours).

Library media centers have larger collections of better quality

information resources.

Research has shown that student achievement is higher when…

•Library media program’s have computer networks that extend the reach into classrooms and labs.

•Library media centers have flexible scheduling.

Research has shown that student achievement is higher when…

•Collaboration activities are more likely to occur where the library media specialist is a school leader.

•Schools with well-developed library media programs average 10-15%/18% higher reading scores.

Research has shown that student achievement is higher when…

•Library media centers and resources are used more frequently by students and staff.

• Library media specialists spend more time collaborating with classroom teachers to teach information literacy curriculum standards.

Colorado Study (2010)

Three separate studies were conducted in elementary schools in the state of Colorado. This third study conducted on November of

2010 not only displays the impact of libraries and librarians on how high or low students’

test scores are, it also examines the impact of libraries and librarians on low-performing as

well as high-performing students on the CSAP tests.

Chart 1: Library StaffingElementary schools with at least one full-time endorsed librarian* averaged better CSAP performance than those

with less than one full-time endorsed librarian.

Lance & Leitzau (2010)

Chart 2: Library FundingMore students earned proficient or advanced reading scores and fewer students earned unsatisfactory scores where school libraries were better funded.

Lance & Leitzau (2010)

Chart 3: Library VisitsMore students earned proficient or advanced reading scores and fewer students earned unsatisfactory scores where they visited their school libraries more often.

Lance & Leitzau (2010)

Chart 4: Periodicals & Video Collections

Lance & Leitzau (2010)

More students earned proficient or advanced reading scores and fewer students earned unsatisfactory scores where their school libraries held larger periodical and video collections.

• Collaborate with classroom teachers to teach and integrate literature and information skills into the curriculum.

• Partner with classroom teachers on projects that help students use a variety of resources, conduct research, and present their findings.

• Receive support fiscally and programmatically by the educational community to achieve the mission of the school.

LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALISTS:

School libraries and librarians test affect scores in spite of…

Students’….. Poverty level Socio-economical Cultural background/race

School’s….

• Geographic area

• Teacher-student ratio

• Teacher salary

• Teacher experience

Other Research Findings

Library Media Programs used to Assist in Student Achievement

Other ProgramsWeb 2.0 Library Tools

•Media Sharing•Digital Storytelling•Manage & Organize•Social Networking & Communication•Content Resources•Curriculum•Collaboration

ALA 2012

“Credentialed school library media professionals promote, inspire,

and guide students toward a love of reading, a quest for knowledge, and a thirst for lifelong learning.”

—“In Support of Credentialed Library Media Professionals in School Library Media Centers." A Summary of a Board Resolution of the International Reading Association. May 2000.

References

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. Retrieved from: http://www.lrs.org/documents/closer_look/CO3_2010_Closer_Look_Report.pdf

Scholastic (2008). School Libraries Work! Scholastic Library Publishing. Retrieved from http://librarypublishing.scholastic.com/content/stores/LibraryStore/pages/images/SLW3_2008.pdf

Lance, K. C., Rodney, M. J., & Hamilton-Pennell, C. (2005). Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners: The Illinois Study. Illinois School Library Media Association. Retrieved from http://www.islma.org/pdf/ILStudy2.pdf

Lance, K. C., Hamilton-Pennell, C., Rodney, M. J., Petersen, L., & Sitter, C. (1999). Information Empowered: The School Librarian as an Agent of Academic Achievement in Alaska Schools. Alaska State Library. Retrieved from http://www.library.state.ak.us/pdf/anc/infoemxs.pdf

Lance, K. C., Hamilton-Pennell, C., & Rodney, M. J. (2000). How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards: The Second Colorado Study. Library Research Service. Retrieved from http://www.lrs.org/documents/lmcstudies/CO/execsumm.pdf

Baughman, J. (2000, October). School libraries and MCAS Scores. Paper presented at symposium sponsored by the Graduate School Of Library and Information Science, Simmons College, Boston, MA. Retrieved from http://artemis.simmons.edu/~baughman/mcas-school-libraries/Baughman%20Paper.pdf

Lance, Keith Curry, Marcia J. Rodney, and Becky Russell. (2007) How Students, Teachers, and Principals Benefit from Strong School Libraries: The Indiana Study—2007. Indianapolis, IN: Association for Indiana Media Educators. http://www.ilfonline.org/AIME/INfinalreportNextSteps.pdf