A Strong Media

Program Positively

Affects Student

AchievementBy Caleyann ColemanMEDT 6466 Fall 2011

Fact: Achievement Test Scores are 10-20% Higher with a Quality Media Program Studies have been conducted in over

3,300 schools all drawing the same conclusion. Media programs improve student achievement.

Lance and Baughman conducted two main studies showing the relationship between higher student achievement and media programs.

The Lance StudyThe Lance study found that

Academic achievement was higher when Schools had a library media

specialistMedia specialists collaborated

with teachersLibrary collections were larger

Lance Study continued…The Lance Study found that media

programs do many things for our schools and students such as Partnering with teachers to plan

collaboratively Teach a love and understanding of

reading Prepare students for using information

and technology

“Research shows that the highest achieving

students attend schools with good school

libraries”~James C Baughman

The Baughman StudyThe Baughman Study found that

Students did better on state tests at schools with media centers

Students scored higher at schools with a higher book per pupil ratio

Students at schools with a full time media specialist scored higher on state testing

The Baughman Study continued…

Dr. Baughman found that media programs are most influenced by the following areas Extra hours before and after school Higher per pupil count of materials A higher media center budget per pupil Higher student use and instruction Collection alignment with the curriculum Complete staff including media specialist,

clerks, and parent volunteers

What about students in low socioeconomic areas?

Dr. Baughman found that school media centers increased student achievement at schools with a higher rate of free and reduced lunches

He concluded that students in a lower socioeconomic area can learn just as well when given the proper materials-a quality media center

“Children in these schools need books, libraries, and librarians as much as, if not more than do other children”

~James C Baughman

Other StudiesClick icon to add pictureStudies have been completed in the following states

AlaskaCalifornia

FloridaIdahoIllinoisIndiana

Iowa Massachusetts

Michigan MinnesotaMissouri

New MexicoNew York

North CarolinaOhio

OregonPennsylvania

TexasWisconsin

All these studies draw the same

conclusion

Library Media Centers

Positively Affect Student Achievement!

What is the role of the media specialist to improve student achievement?

American Association of School Librarians’ Information Power gives a clear description of the roles and responsibilities of a media specialist.

Media Specialists are Teachers who collaborate

with students to help with the use of information

Instructional partners with teachers to plan and teach subject matter

Informational specialist in acquiring and evaluating information

Program administrator who plans, directs, and advocates the media program and media center

What Can You, the Principal, Do to Ensure a Quality Media Program?

Communicate with the media specialist often on current media programs and new ideas

Encourage collaboration between teachers and the media specialist

Support the media center budget as necessary to ensure a higher books per pupil ratio

Support extended hours and a flexible schedule of the media center

ReferencesAmerican Association of School Libraries (2011). Information Power: Building Partnerships

for Learning- Roles and Responsibilities of the School Library Media Specialist.

Chicago, Ill. Retrieved October 30th, 2011 from

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslarchive/pubsarchive/informationpower/ro

lesresponsibilities.cfm

Baughman J, (2000). School Libraries and MCAS Scores. Simmons College, Boston, MA.

Retrieved October 29th, 2011, from http://web.simmons.edu/~baughman/mcas-

school-libraries/Baughman%20Paper.pdf

References ContinuedLance, K., Loertscher, D. (2003). Powering Achievement 2nd Edition: School Library Media

Programs Make a Difference –Fifteen Minute Presentation PowerPoint. Retrieved

October 29th , 2011, from http://www.lmcsource.com/tech/power/2nd/power2.htm

Library Research Service (2011). The Impact of School Libraries on Student Achievement:

Exploring the School Library Impact Studies. Denver, Co. Retrieved October 30th,

2011, from http://www.lrs.org/impact.php