I. The facts

II. Our local numbers...

III.  So, what does it mean to have a School Library Program?

IV. Defining the meaning of "school librarian"

V. The role of the principal

VI. For additional helpful information....

• Falcon Elementary vs Indian Ridge Elementary, Colorado
   

• Since 2000, studies in 16 states of more than 8,700 schools and over 2.6 million students have revealed the following key findings:

  a. There are strong links between academic achievement (represented by scores on standards-based state tests of reading/ language arts skills) and library staffing levels, librarian activities, collection size, technology integration, library usage.

  b. Academic Achievement (estimated based on test score variation) explained by the following predictors:

  * Poverty (NSLP eligibility): 50- 65%

  * School library programs: Controlling for key school and community differences, library explains up to 8% of test score variation.
   

•  The Oregon study (2001):

  "Oregon reading test scores rise with the development of school library media (LM) programs.  The relationship between LM program development and test scores is not explained away by other school or community conditions at elementary or middle school levels or by other school conditions at high school level."

  For more information about recent research on the impact of school library media programs on academic achievement, visit the Library Research Service web site, http://www.lrs.org

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