[Libs-Or] Department of Education Evaluation Highlights Success of Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program

[Diedre Conkling]

Once again we have information about why we need libraries in schools,
http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1693

 *Department of Education Evaluation Highlights Success of Improving
Literacy Through School Libraries Program*

January 29th, 2009 | Category: OGR, School Libraries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Library Association (ALA) today hails the
Second Evaluation of the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL)
Program released by the U.S. Department of Education earlier this month,
which indicated that students attending schools participating in LSL are
performing higher on state reading tests than students in schools that do
not take part in the program.

The study stated that in schools that participated in LSL in 2003-04, the
percentage of students who met or exceeded the proficiency requirements on
state reading assessments increased by an extra 2.7 percentage points over
the increase observed among nonparticipating schools during the same time
period.

"The ALA is pleased to see these results, as they demonstrate the vital role
school libraries serve in a student's education," Emily Sheketoff, executive
director of the ALA Washington Office, said.

"Literacy impacts every area of one's education, and it is so important that
more schools pursue ways to invest in their school libraries through
opportunities such as the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries
program. This is one of the most successful programs in No Child Left
Behind, but it has never been funded at even 10 percent of the authorized
level."

According to the Department of Education Web site, the LSL program provides
grants to help Local Education Agencies (LEAs) improve reading achievement
by providing students with increased access to up-to-date school library
materials; well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media
centers; and professionally certified school library media specialists.

The evaluation also stated that grantees roughly tripled their expenditures
on books, subscriptions and computer hardware, while nongrantees showed
little change.

--
Diedre Conkling
diedre08 at gmail.com
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