The Role of School Librarians in Primary and Secondary
Education in the 21st Century
Paul Whitsitt, DirectorLibraries and Information Services
Chicago Public Schools
Discussion Outline
Overview of CPS Libraries
Current Data on the Impact of School Libraries on Student Achievement
The School Librarian’s Role Going Forward
Chicago Public Schools District Information
CPS Web site www.cps.k12.il.us/
650+ Schools, 410,000 Students
Approximately 550 libraries and 500 librarians
CPS Department of Libraries web site www.cps.k12.il.us/aboutcps/departments/libraries/
CPS Student Demographics
Student Racial Breakdown(FY2007-08) 46.5% African-American 39.1% Latino 8.0% White 3.3% Asian/Pacific Islander 2.9% Multi-Racial 0.2% Native American
Student Demographics, cont.
Additional Student Information (FY2006-07)
84.9% of students from low-income families
18.8% of Illinois public school students attend CPS
14.4% are limited-English-proficient
94.0% attendance rate for elementary schools
84.3% attendance rate for high schools
91.3% citywide attendance rate
CPS Department of Libraries Vision Statement
All students and staff in the Chicago Public Schools are effective users of ideas and information, competent and enthusiastic
readers, independent learners, and positive contributors to the school
community and to society.
Role of the CPS Department of Libraries
Area Library Coordinators
Professional Library
Resources, Professional Development
Grants and Program Administration
Recruitment
Area Library CoordinatorsConnie Amon - 1, 2, 3 and Automation
KC Boyd - 16, 17, 18 and Mayor Daley Book Club
Dorsey Chambers - 11,14,15 and Battle of the Books
Francelia M. Herron - 10,12,13 and Recruitment Grants (IMLS)
Maria Rodriguez – 7,8 and Budget
Merril V. Stegall - 4, 6, 9 and Certification / Placement
Lisa E. Perez, All High Schools, Professional Library, HS MDBC
Snapshot of CPS Librarian Workforce
Approximately 100 high school and 400 elementary librarians
20 have achieved National Board Certification in Library Media (about half of the total NBCT librarians in Illinois)
State requires teaching certificate and librarian “endorsement”; CPS HS librarians have MLIS
However, almost half of CPS elementary librarians lack library endorsement
Keith Curry Lance
Marcia J. Rodney
Christine Hamilton-Pennell
RSL Research Group
Illinois Study
Available online at the Illinois School Library Media Assn website
www.islma.org
Shapes the work of our department
Building Blocks of the Study
Illinois School Library Survey (657 participant schools)
Data– Test scores
• ISAT Reading & Writing, 5th & 8th• PSAE Reading & ACT, 11th
– Other school data– Community data
Library Predictors of Test Scores
Flexible scheduling
Staffing
Staff activities
Collection
Educational technology
Expenditures
Usage
School Level
Staff Hours
Elementary 42
Middle 49
High 70
More library staff→ higher test scores
More library staff→ higher test scores
Chart 2. Higher Achievement Associated with Higher Staffing Levels in Illinois School Libraries, 2003
12.7%
8.2% 7.4%
17.3%18.4%
4.6%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
Elementary Middle High
Grade Level
% i
nc
rea
se
in
ac
hie
ve
me
nt
ReadingW riting/ACT *
* % meeting or exceeding writing standards for elementary and middle school, ACT scores for high school
More library-connected computers → higher test
scores
More library-connected computers → higher test
scores
School Level Library
PCs
Other
PCs
Elementary 9 45
Middle 13 60
High 26 125
Chart 7. Higher Achievement Associated with Illinois School Libraries Being More Accessible Via Educational Technology,
2003
7.6%
6.4%
5.8%
10.7
%
8.4%
7.6% 8.3%
6.6%
5.1% 6.
2%
3.5%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
Library computers Other library-connected computers Other library-connected Internetcomputers per 100 students
Educational Technology variable
Per
cen
t in
crea
se in
ac
hie
vem
ent
Elementary - Reading Middle - W riting
High - Reading High - ACT*
* % meeting/exceeding reading/writing standards for elementary and middle school, ACT scores for high school
School Level
Library Expenditures
Elementary $4,500
Middle $6,250
High $10,255
More spent on libraries → higher test scoresMore spent on libraries → higher test scores
Chart 8. Higher Achievement Associated with Illinois Schools Spending More on Libraries, 2003
5.2%
9.1%
11.6%9.9%
12.9%
6.7%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
Elementary Middle HighGrade Level
Pe
rce
nt
inc
rea
se
in
a
ch
iev
em
en
t
ReadingW riting/ACT *
* % meeting/exceeding writing standards for elementary and middle school, ACT scores for high school
New Standards for the 21st Century Learner
AASL unveiled in October 2007
“Framework” for learning
Emphasizes the changing information demands, sources, and access methods
Focus on ethical behavior, social context, personal growth
acrl.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/learningstandards/standards.cfm
School Librarians are Critical Guides for 21st Century LearningResponsibility for teaching information literacy skills rests with us, especially as complexity increases
We need to be valued partners in fostering strong reading skills
Library as “place” – our role in providing a safe, welcoming learning environment with equitable access to resources
CPS Efforts to Enhance Librarian Impact on Student Achievement
Librarian Learning CommunitiesCentralized automation with collaborative teaching toolsCollaboration training for librarian / teacher teams (we can’t work successfully in isolation)Exploring new technologies (Second Life) for professional developmentCreating school leaders (curriculum, technology, literacy, etc.)Expansion of Mayor Daley Book Club reading motivation programs
Paul WhitsittDirector
Libraries and Information Services
Chicago Public Schools
773-553-6210