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