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Researched Studies & Leadership of School Library Media Specialist (SLMS) Impact on academic achievement

• By: Lydia McKeever

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Librarians Are Essential

“School Libraries are essential learning resources and librarians are the essential ‘guides inside’ our schools, leading everyday teaching and learning toward methods and outcomes that best prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century” (AASL).

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Vital Roles of LMS

• A librarian plays four vital roles that are essential to every school.

1. Teacher2. Instructional Partner3. Information Specialist4. Program administrator

(Information Power 1998)

Without a media specialists, a school can be left crippled.

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Additional Tasks of LMS

• Librarians also may take credit for:-Building strong students-Scaffolding for reading success-Enriching teachers with 21st century

professional development-Providing the blueprint for teaching students research skills, digital

citizenship, safety online, and information communication skills (AASL).

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Lance Research Study

• Between 2000 and 2009, similar findings have been generated by studies in 17 other states.

• Teacher self-assessments at schools where principals valued the librarian as essential to student learning revealed teachers also saw the LMS as essential in improving test scores (Lance, 2010).

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•Credentialed librarians are two to three times more likely to present engaging activities at least weekly rather than others deputized to run the library (Lance 2010).

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Lance conducted individual studies and each confirmed that students perform better on Standardized Achievement Test in schools with a fulltime SLMS in each different study.

Take a look at the difference one school had with a School Librarian

• Meeting with administrators High Scoring Low Scoring % Difference in Scores4th Grade ` 0.77 0.37 108%

• Serving on standards committees4th Grade 0.45 0.37 10%7th Grade 1.12 0.56 100%

• Serving on curriculum committees (hours per week)4th Grade 0.73 0.60 22%7th Grade 0.51 0.56 9%

• Attending school staff meetings (hours per week)7th Grade 0.83 0.60 38%

• Holding library staff meetings (hours per week)4th Grade 0.62 0.54 15%7th Grade 0.83 0.60 38%

Loertscher 2003

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Leadership Role of SLMS

An Indiana and Idaho studies list LMS role in the day-to-day dynamics of school life that account for improved student achievement as:

• Providing flexible schedules access to the library • Collaborating with classroom teachers • Designing and delivering instructional activities• Providing in-service professional development

opportunities to teachers • (continued on next slide)

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• Playing a key member of key school committees • Regularly meeting with the principal

(Lance 2010)

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Baughman Library Research

• The Simmon’s Study found school library programs are a valuable component of a child’s education because they help children achieve.

• This research shows that the highest achieving students attend schools with good school librarians.

• Students score higher on the State tests when the librarian provides an instruction program.

• Students score higher on State tests when there is a library instructional program (Baughman 2000).

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Comparison of School Data

Baughman’s findings are in line with results in other studies, such as the Keith Lance studies

Schools with no SLMS had lower scores

Massachusetts survey information revealed that more than three-quarters of all elementary schools reporting did not employ a fulltime, certified school library media specialist. In fact, even support staff at the elementary level was also missing (Baughman 2000).

Research conclusions on Leadership Role of SLMS Impact On Student Achievement

• Better performance resulted on the CSAP from elementary school students who had a full-time media specialists than from those who did not.

Lance 2010

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Unsatisfactory <1 FTEUnsatisfactory 1 + FTEProficent or advanced <1 FTEProficient or advanced 1+ FTE

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References• American Association of School Librarians. (n.d.). Strong School Libraries Build

Strong Students. Retrieved April 1, 2014 from http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/aaslissues/advocacy/AASL_infographic.pdf

• American Library Association. (1998). Adapted from Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning. Retrieved April 1, 2014 from http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/office/admin/roles.html

• Baughman, J. (2000, October 26). School Libraries and MCAS Scores. Retrieved April 2, 2014 from http://web.simmons.edu/~baughman/mcas-school-libraries/Baughman%20Paper.pdf

• Lance, K. (2010). Endorsed Librarian Positions in Colorado Public Schools Trending Downward. Fast Facts. ED3/110.10/No. 287 . Retrieved April 1, 2014 from http://www.lrs.org/documents/fastfacts/287_CO3_Staffing_Test_Scores.pdf

• Loertscher, D. (2003). LMC Source. Powering Achievement 2nd Edition: School Library media Programs Make a Difference. Retrieved April 2, 2014 fromhttp://www.lmcsource.com/tech/power/2nd/power2.htm