Dear Principal:Dear Principal:

What impact can the school What impact can the school media program have on media program have on student achievement?student achievement?

Let’s find out!Let’s find out!

Research Findings:Research Findings:

According to studies conducted by Keith C. Lance, students score an average of 10-20% higher on reading and achievement tests when the school that they attend has a strong library media program.

Factors that impact Factors that impact achievement:achievement:Appropriate staff (certified media

specialist, paraprofessionals)Collaboration with teachersLarge collection of quality materialsTime spent using media center

resourcesGreater funding for the media centerIncreased hours of operationFlexible schedulingIntegrated information literacy lessons

Appropriate StaffingAppropriate StaffingA certified media specialist

contributes to student achievement by optimizing other factors, such as quality of information resources, level of patron usage, and level of instructional collaboration.

CollaborationCollaborationBuzzeo states “Teacher/ librarian

collaborative instruction (team planned, team taught, team evaluated) is the most effective means to teach information literacy skills in order to improve student achievement.”

Flexible SchedulingFlexible SchedulingTest scores increase in schools where

the school library media center operates on a flexible schedule versus a fixed schedule.

Teaching skills in isolation does little to extend learning; while implementing flexible scheduling allows for instruction at the time of need which leads to greater retention and application of knowledge.

Factors that do NOT impact Factors that do NOT impact achievement:achievement:Student demographicsStudent to teacher ratioPer-pupil spendingCommunity socio-economic

conditions

If the school has a strong media program, students will achieve at a higher level regardless of the above conditions!

““What a school thinks What a school thinks about its library is a about its library is a measure of what it measure of what it

thinks about thinks about education.”education.”

--Harold Howe

former U.S. Commissioner of Education

References:References: 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

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.sunlink.ucf.edu/makingthegrade/summary.pdf

Buzzeo, T. & Wilson, S. (2007). Data driven collaboration in two voices. Library Media Connection, 10, 20-23.

Creighton, P. (2007). Just how flexible are we? The current state of scheduling in school libraries. Library Media Connection, 11,10-14.

Lance, K.C., Rodney, M.J. & Hamilton-Pennell, C. (2000). Measuring up to standards: The impact of school library programs & information literacy in Pennsylvania schools. Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries. Retrieved from http://www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/lib/libraries/measuring up.pdf

Lance, K.C., Rodney, M.J., Hamilton-Pennell, C. Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners: The Illinois Study. Retrieved from http://www.alliancelibrarysystem.com/illinoisstudy/TheStudy.pdf

Quantitative Resources, LLC. (2003). Show me connection: How school library media center services affect student achievement. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Retrieved from http://www.dese.mo.gov.divimprove/curriculum/librarystudy/plainenglish.pdf