Strong School Library Media Programs Make a Difference in Academic Achievement

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Strong School Library Media Programs Make a
Difference in Academic Achievement
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Gaver Study, 1963

• Academic achievement is higher when
• There is a centralized library in the school.
• The library collection is large and easily
  accessible.

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Lance Study Finding,1993

• Academic Achievement was higher in Colorado
  schools when
• There was a professional library media specialist
• The library media specialist collaborated with
  teachers to build exciting units of instruction
• The library collection was very large

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Three Major Studies933 Schools2000

• Alaska - 211 schools, Grades 4, 8, 11
• Pennsylvania - 435 schools, grades 5, 8, 11
• Colorado - 200 schools, grades 4, 7

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Two Other Study Findings

• Done by Krashen (1993), McQuillan (1998)
• Strong library media programs make a difference
  in academic achievement.
• Impact made by learners who read more from large
  library media center collections

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Step One

• Create a quality information-rich and
  technology-rich environment easily accessible by
  students and teachers.

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Step Two

• Employ professional and support personnel in the
  library media center who provide leadership and
  tireless partnering.

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Results

• Learners and teachers who take advantage of the
  strong library media center can expect
• Capable and avid readers
• Learners who are information literate
• Teachers who are partnering to create
  high-quality learning experiences

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Impact

• Scores can be expected to be 10-20 higher than
  in schools without this emphasis.

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Results are not explained by

• Teacher/pupil ratio
• Teacher characteristics (education, experience,
  salaries)
• Student characteristics (poverty, race/ethnicity)
• Community demographics (educational attainment,
  poverty, ethnicity)