1. Implications for School Library Programs
www.SchoolLibraryAdvocacy.org
Prepared by Debra E. Kachel
March 10, 2016
2. ALA/AASL Victory! After eight years without a reauthorization of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act (ESEA), ESSA becomes law with references to school libraries
and librarians.
More than 10,580 emails registered on this issue and 15,552 new advocates registered
in Engage, ALA’s online grassroots network.
• On December 10, 2015, President Obama
signed into law a reauthorization of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
(ESEA).
• No Child Left Behind (NCLB) to end June 30,
2016
• Newly reauthorized ESEA called Every
Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
• Goes into effect for the 2017-18 school year.
• Authorized for four years
3. • Gives states more control over how money is spent, testing, standards
(does not endorse any specific set of academic standards, such as Common Core),
school turnarounds, and more
• No federal role in teacher evaluation
• Same testing schedule; however, proficiency on tests, English-
language proficiency, and graduation rates now set by each state
(permits assessments to be partially delivered in format such as portfolios, projects,
or extended performance tasks)
• States have to identify and intervene in the bottom 5 percent of
performers and continue to report on sub-groups (economically
disadvantaged, major ethnic and racial groups, students with disabilities, and ELL)
4. • Specifically includes school librarians in the definition of “specialized
instructional support personnel”
• Title I plans must be developed in consultation with “specialized instructional
support personnel”
• Authorizes, but does not require, Title I plans to describe how effective school
library programs will provide students an opportunity to develop digital
literacy skills and improve academic achievement
• Districts are required to conduct a needs assessment every three years which
must include access to “personalized learning experiences” which may include
access to libraries
5. • Beginning in 2017-18, will be authorized and funded in ESSA
(previously funded through appropriations bills) = Now dedicated
funding
• Competitive grant program that promotes literacy programs in
low-income, high-need communities (currently must have a 20%
poverty rate)
• Can be used to develop and enhance effective school library
programs, which may include “professional development for
school librarians, books, and up-to-date materials for high-need
schools”
6. • Authorizes, but does not require, states, as well as school districts, to use grant and subgrant
funds for:
• “supporting the instructional services provided by effective school library programs”
• “providing time for teachers and school librarians to meet, plan, and collaborate on comprehensive
literacy instruction
• “providing professional development for school librarians”
• “providing access to school libraries”
• Title I plans must address access to effective school library programs as part of professional
development efforts
• Districts must develop plans describing “how effective school library programs will provide
students an opportunity to develop digital literacy skills and improve academic achievement”
7. • Does not require or mandate school librarian staffing, whether
certified or not
• Fell short on defining an effective school library program
An "effective school library program" was defined in S.312 (The SKILLS Act), but could not be agreed
to in the ESSA law. The following did NOT make it into the new law. However, this is the definition
that AASL/ALA is promoting.
An effective school library program:
(1) is staffed by a state sanctioned school librarian;
(2) has up -to-date materials and technology, including broadband;
(3) includes regular collaboration between teachers and school librarians concerning school reform.
8. • In February, Pres. Obama submitted his FY2017 budget, but Congress is
unlikely to pass it as is. It includes:
• A modest overall increase of 1.9%
• Flat funds most programs for special education and low performing schools
• ALA/AASL continuing work:
• Submitted letters on implementing Title I through school library programs
• Working on causal research on the impact of school libraries (CLASS)
• Developing tools for school librarians to work locally and on the state level
• ALA's Washington Office continues to work on funding for LSTA and IAL
• AASL is updating the 2007 standards with a three-year timeline for
implementation
• AASL also offers trainings through eCollab and the AASL eAcademy which
includes some complimentary content and webinars
9. State department of education/state library/state library associations should collaborate to
ensure that:
• The definition of “an effective school library program” developed by ALA/AASL is endorsed
within your state’s department of education (see Slide 7)
• Solutions for implementing ESSA that show how school library programs provide students
with opportunities “to develop digital literacy skills and improve academic achievement”
should be proposed to state level decision and policy makers
• School libraries are included in the application process for competitive grant programs
funded with federal dollars (IAL, LEARN, etc.)
• Awareness and training on applying for state/federal grant funds, be made available to school
librarians
• School librarians are included in state-funded professional development programs
• Resources about technology access and e-resources applicable to K-12 students and teachers
be made available to school library programs and librarians
10. • Request to serve on your Title I committee (ESSA authorizes inclusion
of “specialized instructional support personnel”)
• Provide data or evidence on how the library program helps Title I
students (See AASL’s ESSA Update page)
• Title I plan should now include “how they will assist schools in
developing effective school library programs to provide students
an opportunity to develop digital literacy skills and improve
academic achievement”
• Demonstrate how licensed digital resources and librarian-curated
websites can be used with Title I students (text-to-speech, language
translation, reading level indicators, etc.)
• Read ALA/AASL letter on implementing Title I
11. • To be implemented 2017-18; K-12; to update comprehensive literacy
plans
• Request to serve on the grant committee (ESSA authorizes participation
of school librarians)
• Authorizes, but does not require, that time be provided for “teachers
and school librarians to meet, plan and collaborate on comprehensive
literacy instruction”
• Must include professional development –Offer to provide PD for
teachers by demonstrating digital resources that provide reading
resources for teachers (finding Lexile levels, appropriate nonfiction,
etc.)
• School librarians also eligible for PD – Add attendance at school library
trainings and other library-specific PD
12. • To be implemented 2017-18; K-12; to promote literacy plans in low-income
schools
• District must meet 20% poverty level as identified by DOE (eligibility will be
announced at the DOE website when announced)
• Request to serve on the grant committee and provide research and ideas
• ESSA specifically authorizes (does not require) funds to be used “for developing
and enhancing effective school library programs, which includes providing
professional development for school librarians, books, and up-to-date materials
to high need schools”
• School library advocates will still need to lobby for funding for this program to
increase previous funding (see the District Dispatch on funding for 2016-17)
13. • To be implemented 2017-18; funds go to the state (formula allocated on basis
of poverty) and then are distributed to schools
• Authorizes, but does not require, providing programs and activities that
increase access to personalized, rigorous learning experiences supported by
technology, including adequate “access to school libraries.”
• Includes PD for teachers and librarians for technology integration
• Request to serve on grant committee or provide input - Required needs
assessment should include access to school libraries (Maintain data and
produce an Annual Report NOW!)
• Also request to serve on technology leadership committee as this committee is
likely to have an increased role with these grant programs
14. • Educate state and local officials on how effective school library programs led by certified school
librarians can improve their students’ academic achievement and enhance the performance of
schools that offer these programs.
• Use research and the school library impact studies such as PA School Library Project research
http://paschoollibraryproject.org
• Use your local data (classes taught, student assessments, numbers of students using resources,
etc.)
• Show what you are teaching that addresses academic standards; use your state curricular
documents or the AASL Crosswalk (for example, see the PA Model Curriculum ). Also,
Moreillon’s Matrix for School Librarians
• Invite your district administration to your library
• What else can you do?
15. • Congress recognized that too much
standardized testing occurs and is
sapping valuable instructional time and
money to maintain. ESSA lessens the
requirements and allows states to
determine much of the testing.
• There is significant parental push back
occurring and parents are “opting out”
their students from standardized testing.
• Many states now allow parents the opt-
out provision. Find out what your state
allows.
For example in Pennsylvania:
My child is opted out of the PSSA testing, what
will they do while their classmates are taking the
PSSA's?
If the student is excused from the assessment due to
parental or guardian request, school personnel
must provide an alternative learning environment
for the student during the assessment and select
“Student had a parental request for exclusion from
the assessment."
According to the FAQs from the Pennsylvania Department
of Education on page 9 of the PSSA Handbook
16. • Who do you think can provide
“an alternative learning
environment for the
student?”
• What do you think your
principal’s response would be?
CAVEAT: This is proposed by SchoolLibraryAdvocacy.org; not
endorsed by ALA/AASL.
17. • After years of lobbying, ESSA includes language validating the importance of
school libraries and school librarians
• However, much of the language of ESSA “authorizes,” but does not require
• YOU will need to persist and insist that school librarians and school libraries
are part of the programs emanating from ESSA
• YOU will need to educate building and district administrators on ESSA’s
implications for school library programs to improve student learning
• YOU will need to be proactive; don’t wait to be asked to the party!
Don’t miss your opportunity to make a difference.
18. AASL. ESSA Update Page. Knowledge Quest.
ALA Washington Office. “Opportunities for School Librarians.”
Burns, Elizabeth. “Articulating an Impact on Student Learning.” Knowledge Quest Blog 3 Mar. 2016.
Colorado State Library. “Basic Provisions in ESSA for Libraries, Technology, and Digital Learning.” 4 Jan. 2016.
Council of Chief State School Officers. “FAQs Regarding Implementation of ESSA.” 16 Feb. 2016.
U.S. House of Representatives. Committee on Education and the Workforce. “ESEA Conference Report
Summary” (basic overview, not library related)
U.S. Department of Education's ESSA web page
c2016 SchoolLibraryAdvocacy.org
