<div dir="ltr"><p>Hello School Library Supporters,</p>
<p>The reauthorization of ESEA (the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act) currently known as No Child Left Behind is finally being addressed in
Congress. Language is being drafted by both the Senate HELP Committee
and the House Education & Workforce Committee in Washington, DC.
Although the major points of contention are over student testing and
teacher evaluation, this is the time to try to impact our Congressmen to
add provisions for school libraries.</p>
<p>Therefore, the next two months will be an opportune time for library
and education advocates to contact lawmakers and advocate the American
Library Association/American Association of School Librarians position:</p>
<p>1. Maintain dedicated federal funding for school libraries;</p>
<p>2. Staff school libraries with state-licensed school librarians,</p>
<p>3. Provide professional development funds to be used for recruiting and training school librarians</p>
<p>Please contact House of Representatives member<strong> Suzanne Bonamici (<a href="http://www.casey.senate.gov/contact" target="_blank">http://bonamici.house.gov/</a>)</strong> who serves on the <a href="http://www.help.senate.gov/" target="_blank">House Education and Workforce Committee.</a> Ask her to ensure that the three bullet points above are included in the ESEA Reauthorization which is now being drafted.</p><p>________________________________</p><p>Related legislation FYI....</p><p><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><br></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Senators Reed and Cochran introduce school library bill</span></p>
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Last
week, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) joined Senate Appropriations
Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) in introducing the SKILLS Act
(S.312). Key improvements to the program
include expanding professional development to include digital literacy,
reading and writing instruction across all grade levels; focusing on
coordination and shared planning time between teachers and librarians;
and ensuring that books and materials are appropriate
students with special learning needs, including English learners.</span><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr">Stephanie A. Thomas, MLS, M.Ed.<br>Teacher Librarian, Parkrose High School<br>Adjunct Instructor, Portland State University<br>OASL President 2014-2015<br>ALA Emerging Leader 2013<br></div></div>
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