Leverage your library program to help raise test scores : a guide for library media specialists, principals, teachers, and parents

The research is in: strong library media programs can help hike test scores. Now teachers, administrators, other educators, and parents can raise their awareness of the causal connections between the two. This book explains major studies' findings and the implications for instruction, examines elements of successful media programs, and defines a clear, practical call to action for educators and parents to advocate for school libraries within their own spheres of influence. If academic achievement is the bottom line, here are the elements you must include in your library media program. Includes complete bibliography.

* Discover how library media programs contribute to student achievement
* Appropriate for all grade levels--from K-12 to higher education
* Addresses all stakeholdes involved in facilitating student learning

Author Notes

Audrey P. Church is the coordinator, School Library Media Program at Longwood University in Farmville, VA.

Acknowledgments	p. v
Introduction	p. vii
Chapter 1 The Research Says	p. 1
A Professionally Trained, Full-Time Librarian	p. 3
Adequate Support Staff	p. 5
A Strong Library Collection	p. 5
Student Access to Library Resources Both Within and Outside of Library Walls	p. 6
A Library Media Specialist Who Is Knowledgeable About School Curriculum	p. 8
A Library Media Specialist Who Communicates and Collaborates with Teachers	p. 9
A Library Media Specialist Who Assists Teachers in Using Information Technology	p. 10
A Library Media Specialist Who Teaches Students Information Literacy Skills	p. 11
National Library Power Program: A Major Initiative of the Dewitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund	p. 12
In Conclusion	p. 13
Chapter 2 What Administrators Should Know and Expect	p. 15
Collaboration	p. 16
Information Literacy	p. 18
Information Technology	p. 22
Reading	p. 25
Program Administration	p. 27
Leadership	p. 29
And in Return	p. 30
Resulting In	p. 31
Administrator Self-Checklist	p. 32
Chapter 3 What Teachers Should Know and Expect: The Library Media Specialist as a Teacher	p. 33
Your Library Media Specialist as a Teacher	p. 34
The Research Process	p. 34
Search Skills and Search Strategies	p. 37
Effective Internet Use	p. 37
Web Site Evaluation	p. 39
Use of Databases	p. 39
Working with Information (Narrowing, Note Taking, Paraphrasing)	p. 41
Citation of Sources	p. 41
Information Literacy Standards	p. 43
To Teach Not Only Your Students but Also You?	p. 44
Assistance in Search Strategies	p. 45
Effective Use of Instructional and Information Technology	p. 45
Chapter 4 What Teachers Should Know and Expect: The Library Media Specialist as an Instructional Partner and an Information Specialist	p. 47
Your Library Media Specialist as an Instructional Partner	p. 47
Overview of Students--Across Grades and in a Different Setting	p. 47
Promotion of Reading	p. 48
Reinforcement, Clarification, and Expansion of Classroom Instruction	p. 49
Team Teaching--Planning, Teaching, Evaluating	p. 51
Your Library Media Specialist as an Information Specialist	p. 53
Professionally: Connect You to Free Online Courses	p. 53
Professionally: Answer Questions About Copyright	p. 53
Professionally: Provide Professional Resources	p. 54
Instructionally: Provide Connections to Web Sites	p. 55
Instructionally: Provide Connections to Popular Authors	p. 55
Instructionally: Provide Resources to Teach Standards	p. 56
Instructionally: Build the Collection to Meet Curricular Needs	p. 57
And in Return?	p. 57
Chapter 5 What Parents Should Know and Expect	p. 61
Reading	p. 61
Information Literacy	p. 63
Information Technology	p. 66
The Four C's	p. 67
And What from You?	p. 67
Chapter 6 What Library Media Specialists Need to Do	p. 69
Collaboration	p. 69
Information Literacy	p. 71
Information Technology	p. 72
Reading	p. 75
Program Administration	p. 75
Leadership	p. 76
Chapter 7 And the Winner Is	p. 79
How Much Will Test Scores Rise?	p. 79
From an Administrator's Perspective	p. 80
From a Teacher's Perspective	p. 82
From a Library Media Specialist's Perspective	p. 83
Final Thoughts	p. 84
Appendixes	p. 85
Appendix A Chronological Summary of the Research Studies	p. 85
Appendix B Sample Planning and Unit Evaluation Forms	p. 97
Collaborative Unit Planning Sheet	p. 97
Teacher/Library Media Specialist Evaluation of a Collaboratively Taught Unit	p. 98
Appendix C Sample Pathfinders	p. 99
Prince Edward County Elementary School Library	p. 99
Manchester High School Library	p. 101
Appendix D Principal Brochures, Virginia Department of Education	p. 103
A Guide for Elementary School Principals: Academic Success @ your library	p. 104
A Guide for Middle School Principals: Academic Success @ your library	p. 106
A Guide for Secondary School Principals: Academic Success @ your library	p. 108
References	p. 111
For Further Reading	p. 115
Index	p. 117
About the Author	p. 123

Available:*

On Order

Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Table of Contents