american association of school librarians standards survival sue ballard for the standards and...

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIANS

Standards Survival

Sue BallardFor the

Standards and Guidelines Task Force


• Download the standards from http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/learningstandards/standards.cfm

• Take a deep breath. The new standards were designed to build on and further develop the values and goals set out in the Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning, published in 1998 http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/informationpower/InformationLiteracyStandards_final.pdf


• Start by reading the Common Beliefs statements on pages 2 and 3. These are the beliefs upon which the new standards were built.

• Consider convening a book club or discussion group to explore the standards more deeply.


• If your district already has school library media learning standards, correlate them with the Standards for the 21st Century Learner. Identify areas for professional development.

• If your district does not yet have school library media learning standards, consider using these standards as a starting point.


• Prioritize which areas of the standards you will address first if full implementation is not feasible at this point in time. For example, you might start by addressing the skills only.

• Check in frequently at the AASL website http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslwhere strategies and tips will be provided, updated and refreshed regularly as the Implementation plan is rolled out.


The Implementation Plan:

• Identifies Guiding Principles and an Overarching Position/Branding Statement

• Identifies Target Audiences (internal and external)• Identifies Training Opportunities and Resources• Provides a Communication Plan • Provides a Plan for Continuous Feedback, Evaluation and

Sustainability• Provides a Plan for Endorsements and Support • Provides Supporting Documents


• AASL (AASL Board, Staff, Committees and Task Forces, Affiliates, Individual Members, ALA Leadership, ALA Offices and Divisions, various national Professional, Parent and Community Organizations/Associations, federal level legislators, departments and agencies, National Media )

• State Affiliates (Building-level SLMS, State Library Associations, State Departments of Education, various state Professional, Parent and Community Organizations/Associations, state level legislators, departments and agencies, state media outlets)

Responsibilities


• SLMS Educators-ELMSS section (Library and Education Preparation Programs, School Administration and Faculty, SLMS Students, Pre-Service Educators, Building-level SLMS (through presentations and publications)

• District Coordinators - SPV Section (Building-level SLMS, School District Administration, Other District-level Departments and Administrators, such as Information Technology Department, Curriculum Coordinators, internal communications vehicles, local media outlets)

• Building-level SLMS (Classroom Teachers and Specialists, Students, Parents and Families, Site-level Administrators, internal communication vehicles, local media outlets)

Responsibilities


• One Size Does Not Fit All – While national in scope, implementation efforts must allow for personalization and the ability to modify and adapt as relates to state and/or local conditions. This is especially true as this plan relates to diversity and the multi-cultural makeup of the various communities we seek to serve.

• Common Vocabulary and Message is Mission Critical – It is crucial that terms and concepts within the standards and guidelines are used and understood by all involved with implementation effort.

Guiding Principles


• Initially to introduce the standards and guidelines to internal and external audiences alike in order to build awareness

• As awareness evolves and develops to create understanding of and commitment to them as a priority in terms of curriculum alignment across the content areas and the requisite provision of resources and conditions to ensure that the standards and guidelines are realized.

• Thus ultimately, create a “shared” vision with stakeholders and constituents.

What are we aiming to achieve?


The future compels us - the future belongs to those who can adapt quickly to the ever-changing landscape that has moved from a need for industrial workers to information and knowledge workers to conceptual workers. Our students live and compete in the global marketplace where a new and emerging skill set is required if they are to thrive.

Why is it important to achieve it?


The role of the school library media program is changing in this context. It is critical that students and educators are able to cultivate attributes that will serve them and society and help transform learning through the model provided by Standards for 21st Century Learners. Students will use resources and tools to:

– Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge– Draw conclusions, make informed decision, apply knowledge to new

situations, and create new knowledge– Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as

members of our democratic society– Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.

Why is it important to achieve it?


A variety of indicators and assessments will be developed as part of this planthat will allow AASL to determine its effectiveness but overall we will knowwe have succeeded if:

• school library media specialists recognize and make the connection between the new standards/guidelines and content area curriculum standards to improve teaching and learning and impact student achievement

• decision-makers value and support the role of the school library in facilitating teaching and learning

• success stories and evidence of change related to implementation efforts are documented and disseminated

How will we know if we have succeeded?


• Strategies and Activities

– who, what when where and how• Resources and Training • Communications • Evaluation

Objectives


A SNEAK PREVIEW


• Target Audience/s: Building-level library media specialists

• Strategies/ActivitiesWhen? As soon as possible and continuing throughout implementation as neededWhere? At state/affiliate and national conferences; via AASL/KQ Web site; links from Affiliate Web sitesWho? SGI Task Force w/ LSIA Task Force liaison; Affiliate Assembly Leadership and PIO/MarketingHow? Downloadable scripted presentation; implementation assessment checklist/rubric; development/provision of implementation scenarios; discussion guide for use with various target audiences; planning guide; development of implementation hotline/blog/clearinghouse to assist w/questions and concerns; invite sponsorship from publishers/vendors; incorporate resources developed LSIA Task Force

• Resources/Training: Toolkit including - presentation; checklist; scenarios; discussion guide; planning guide; assistance vehicles; sponsorship from publishers/vendors

• Communications: F2F, publications (traditional and Web 2.0); surveys, professional development, news releases, special events, other

Develop a basic implementation kit for

building-level library media specialists