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Volume 11, Issue 12
March 2013
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In This Issue:
Association News
Education News
Resources for School Librarians
Grants & Awards
Partnership News
Member Spotlight
Association News
Rise to the Challenge with Preconference Workshops at AASL13
The AASL 16th National Conference & Exhibition promises to help school library professionals rise to the challenges in their careers with two full-day and six half-day preconference workshops on a variety of timely and relevant topics, including instructional partnerships that deliver success, libraries in the cloud, and virtualizing your library for mobile learning. Additional registration is required for preconference workshops and, with limited space, those interested are encouraged to register early. The conference, “Rising to the Challenge,” will take place Nov. 14–17.
Registration and Housing Now Open for AASL National Conference
Online registration and housing are now open for the AASL 16th National Conference & Exhibition. Attendees are encouraged to register prior to Aug. 22 to receive the discounted early bird rate. Included with registration is access to the opening and closing sessions, more than 100 concurrent sessions, the best practices showcase, the exhibit floor, and the Closing Celebration. The conference, themed “Rising to the Challenge,” will be held Nov. 14–17 in Hartford, Conn. A full list of conference hotels can be found at
national.aasl.org/housing.
AASL Publication Explores New Concepts for School Library Spaces
AASL added to its series of Learning4Life publications with the release of
Library Spaces for 21st-Century Learners: A Planning Guide for Creating New School Library Concepts. Written by Margaret (Peg) Sullivan, the book focuses on planning contemporary school library spaces with user-based design strategies.
Library Spaces for 21st-Century Learners walks school librarians and administrators through the process of gathering information from students and other stakeholders involved in planning a resource-rich learning space.
AASL Forms Special Interest Group for School Librarian Students
The AASL Board of Directors has approved the creation of a special interest group (SIG) for school librarian students based on a request made by AASL members. AASL members looking to join the new interest group should visit
connect.ala.org/node/184925. The Students Special Interest Group will give students working toward a degree in school librarianship an opportunity to network with colleagues in person and virtually. Via the group’s ALA Connect Community and meetings during ALA Annual Conferences, students can share their experiences and expertise and help AASL move toward the future of the profession. Membership in any of AASL's Special Interest Groups is free for AASL members.
AASL Launches School Library Month Video Contest
AASL, in collaboration with SchoolTube, announced the launch of the School Library Month 2013 student video contest “Communities matter @ your library.” Contestants are urged to let loose their creativity and use humor, drama, music and/or special effects to illustrate how the school library program fosters a sense of community in their school. Submissions for the video contest will be accepted through March 19 and winners will be announced at the beginning of School Library Month on April 1. Contest judges will select three winners from all entries received.
New SLR Research Papers Published
SLR has published two all-new research papers for Volume 16. In “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ)-Themed Literature for Teens: Are School Libraries Providing Adequate Collections?” Sandra Hughes-Hassell, Elizabeth Overberg, and Shannon Harris examine whether young adults have access through school libraries to LGBTQ-themed literature. In “School Librarians as Ambassadors of Inclusive Information Access for Students with Disabilities,” Mega Subramaniam, Rebecca Oxley, and Christie Kodama explore the types of facilities, services, and resources SLPs provide to students with specific disabilities in SPED schools; the technologies that facilitate physical and intellectual access for these students within the school library; the extent to which federal disability guidelines are implemented in the design and delivery of these SLPs; and the specialized training that enables school librarians to better support students with special needs. Articles published in Volume 15 are also now available as a single PDF.
Education News
House Introduces Resolution Designating March 21 as National Digital Literacy Day
Last week several members of the House of Representatives introduced a
resolution (H. Res. 81) designating March 21 as National Digital Literacy Day. The resolution recognizes the tremendous service schools and public libraries provide their communities with access to technology and the Internet, primarily through the E-rate program, which has supported these institutions with over $30 billion since the beginning of the program in 1997. March 21 is also the launch of a three-year national Ad Council campaign “3.21 EveryoneOn” that will promote the importance of digital literacy. ALA and the Institute of Museum and Library Services have been actively engaged with this campaign to showcase the work libraries do with digital literacy on 3.21 and the other days of the year.
College Board to Redesign SAT
The College Board is planning to redesign the SAT, according to a news article on Inside Higher Ed. The newly redesigned SAT will mirror the work that students will do in college so that they will practice the work they need to do to complete college, according to David Coleman, the board’s new president, in a letter to College Board members. Coleman noted, “An improved SAT will strongly focus on the core knowledge and skills that evidence shows are most important to prepare students for the rigors of college and career. This is an ambitious endeavor, and one that will only succeed with the leadership of our Board of Trustees, the strong coordination of our councils and committees, and the full engagement of our membership.”
Equity and Excellence Strategy
On February 20, the Equity and Excellence Commission formally presented its report to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan. “For Each and Every Child” offers a five-part framework of inter-related recommendations to guide policy making targeting equitable school finance; teachers, principals, and curricula; early childhood education; mitigating poverty’s effects; and accountability and governance. The 27-member commission, including scholars, state and local educators, union leaders, and education reformers and advocates, was charged with providing advice to the secretary on the disparities in meaningful educational opportunities that give rise to the achievement gap, with a focus on systems of finance and ways the federal government can address such disparities.
Building a Grad Nation Report
A report released at the third annual “Building a Grad Nation” Summit finds that the U.S. is on track to meet the national Grad Nation goal of a 90% high school graduation rate by the Class of 2020. The report, titled “Building a Grad Nation: Progress and Challenge in Ending the High School Dropout Epidemic,” finds that the national high school graduation rate has increased 6.5 percentage points since 2001, to 78.2%, with an average growth of 1.25 points each year from 2006 to 2010. As a result, more than 200,000 additional students received diplomas in 2010 than 2006. In large part, the growth was driven by significant improvements in African-American (from 59.2% in 2006 to 66.1% in 2010) and Hispanic (from 61% in 2006 to 71.4% in 2010) graduation rates. The South also contributed to this growth, with five of the top 10 states with the greatest improvements since 2006.
Report Notes Confidence in Teaching, but Question of Student Benefit with Common Core
A report from MetLife, titled “MetLife Survey of the American Teacher: Challenges for School Leadership,” finds that teachers and principals have more confidence that teachers can teach the Common Core than they have that the Common Core will benefit students. It also found that a majority of teachers and principals report that their school’s budget has decreased in the last year, and even greater proportions of teachers and principals indicate that it is challenging or very challenging for school leaders to manage budgets and resources to meet school needs. The report focused on how teachers and principals view the responsibilities and challenges of leadership in schools as they begin to implement more ambitious standards to increase student success in school and beyond.
Survey Finds Parents Believe Children Should Learn about Digital Citizenship
A survey commissioned by Cable in the Classroom (CIC) and conducted by Harris Interactive says nine of 10 parents think it’s very important or important that their children learn about the three elements of digital citizenship: Internet safety and security (93%), ethical and responsible online behavior (93%), and critical thinking (87%). The “Parent Views on Digital Citizenship” survey was conducted online November 8–15, 2012, among 999 U.S. parents of children 8–18 years old who are in grades 3–12.
Study Examines Vocabulary Lesson Rate
A new study from
Reading Research Quarterly examines oral vocabulary instruction in kindergarten classrooms. The study, “What Classroom Observations Reveal about Oral Vocabulary Instruction in Kindergarten,” found that teachers serving in predominantly low-income schools provided fewer vocabulary episodes than those serving in economically advantaged schools, which could pose challenges for many districts in meeting the increased requirements for vocabulary learning from the Common Core State Standards.
Report Explores ESEA Waiver Plans’ Effect on High School Graduation Rate Accountability
A report from the Alliance for Excellent Education examines the effect ESEA waiver plans have on high school graduation rate accountability. The report, titled “The Effect of ESEA Waiver Plan on High School Graduation Rate Accountability,” finds that while each state’s approach to graduation rate accountability is different, the U.S. Department of Education “emphasizes that all states are still required to
calculate and report graduation rates in accordance with the 2008 regulations.” However, only a few states are fully implementing the 2008 graduation rate regulations for accountability purposes.
Report Finds Robust Broadband Access Key to K-12 School Reform, Improvement Efforts
An independent analysis from the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) and commissioned from Netcraft, a highly-regarded Internet services company, compares and contrasts popular broadband speed test tools in use by U.S. K-12 schools to support technology-enhanced school reform and improvement efforts, including for the implementation of the Common Core. The report, titled “Netcraft Analysis: Online Speed Testing Tools,” recommends that all schools will need external Internet connections to their Internet service provider of 100 Mbps per 1,000 students and staff by 2014‐15 and of 1 Gbps per 1,000 students and staff by 2017‐18.
Report Explores Aspiring Teachers’ Technology Expertise
The report
“Learning in the 21st Century: Digital Experiences and Expectations of Tomorrow’s Teachers” finds that aspiring teachers are tapping into emerging technologies such as social media and mobile devices to self-prepare themselves for their future teaching assignments. In spite of their comfort with using technology tools, aspiring teachers say that their field experiences as student teachers and observing their professors are the best way for them to learn about how to integrate technology within instruction. In addition, principals want new teachers to know how to use technology to create authentic learning experiences for students and how to leverage technology to differentiate instruction.
Resources for School Librarians
E-Pub Brings Together Worldwide Information Literacy Resources
UNESCO has published a new e-publication titled
Overview of Information Literacy Resources Worldwide. The publication is divided into 42 language lists and includes selected resources, including websites, books, journals, and other publications, that were provided by contributors from different countries and institutions and compiled by Dr. Forest Woody Horton, Jr. The publication is available both in e-pub format and as a PDF file.
School Librarians, Literacy, and the Common Core
As the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are implemented, school librarians have an opportunity to showcase their ability to support literacy initiatives and aid students in the development of comprehension strategies. As experts on quality informational texts, school librarians can provide a multitude of options for science and social studies topics, demonstrate to teachers and students how to use graphic and navigational elements of a nonfiction text, and collaborate with teachers on differentiating instruction by providing a range of materials for a single topic. Check out the
Essential Links resources on literacy this month and ramp up literacy in your school.
Free Book Week Poster and Bookmark Available
CBC unveiled Brian Selznick’s Children’s Book Week poster and Grace Lin’s bookmark last month, which are available to download. The free, official poster and bookmark commemorate the 94th annual celebration of Children's Book Week (May 13–19), the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country.
2012 Library Ebook Usage Reports Now Available
Library Journal and
School Library Journal have published the 2012 Ebook Usage Reports, which presents up-to-date data on the driving factors behind library e-book usage activity and purchasing trends in the public, academic, and school (K-12) library markets. Now in their third year, the reports track long-term trends and present detailed information about how libraries are adapting to this technology.
Article Explores How to Read an E-Book with Children
A free article from Reading Rockets, titled “How to Read an E-Book with Your Child,” offers practical tips for sharing e-books with your child, and how to keep the focus on reading and the story. The article is available in English and Spanish.
Grants & Awards
ALA Seeks Candidates for Google Policy Fellowship
The ALA is seeking candidates for the Google Policy Fellows program for 2013. For the summer of 2013, the selected fellow will spend 10 weeks in residence at the ALA Washington Office to learn about national policy and complete a major project. Google provides the $7,500 stipend for the summer, but the work agenda is under the full control of ALA and the fellow. The Google Washington office provides an educational program for all of the fellows, such as lunchtime talks and interactions with Google Washington staff. Derek Attig of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign served as ALA’s 2012 fellow.
New School Turnaround AmeriCorps Competitive Grant Program
At the 2013 Grad Nation Summit, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) Wendy Spencer announced a competitive grant program that will provide $15 million in public funds over three years to reinforce and accelerate intervention efforts in the nation’s lowest-performing schools. The new School Turnaround AmeriCorps will support the placement of a dedicated cadre of AmeriCorps members in persistently under-achieving schools. This approach seeks to increase student achievement, attendance, and graduation rates, as well as college- and career-readiness in those schools. A notice of intent to apply must be submitted to CNCS by April 2. Applications are due April 23.
Teacher/Librarian Shout-Out Awards
Herff Jones has launched a new award called the Herff Jones Teacher Shout Out, which is now accepting applications. It allows the public to thank a special librarian, teacher, advisor, or coach. Herff Jones will award the 10 educators and their schools whose Shout Outs receive the most votes during the official contest voting period from March 16–April 30. Ten educators will receive $5,000—$2,500 to the individual and $2,500 to his or her school.
Beacon Society’s Jan Stauber Grant Applications Due May 1
Teachers, librarians, scout leaders, and Sherlockian literary societies have until
May 1 to apply for the Beacon Society’s major funding project, The Jan Stauber Grant. The grants provide up to $350 to fund the development of programs that will introduce young people to the stories about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional detective. Completed applications are to be returned to The Beacon Society, c/o Elaine Coppola, 103 Kenny St, Fayetteville, NY 13066, or
emcoppol@syr.edu.
Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Accepting Mini-Grant Applications
The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation is accepting applications from public schools and public libraries anywhere in the United States and its territories for programs or event mini-grants of up to $500. The grants need to be used for projects that foster creative expression, working together, and interaction with a diverse community. The funding program provides an opportunity for educators, whose efforts are often inadequately funded or recognized, to create special activities outside the standard curriculum and make time to encourage their students. The application deadline is
March 15.
Green Ribbon Schools' K-12 Healthivores Video Game Design Contest
Healthivores—kids getting smart about health—invites student teams to create a video game based around any topic having to do with health or fitness. One winning team from the elementary, middle school, and high school age ranges will win new laptops. The Healthivores site provides educators with a toolkit that includes step-by-step lesson plans, how-to videos, and resources on how to create a video game.
Deadline is March 31.
Lockheed Martin Offers Grants for Education
Lockheed Martin provides grants for K-16 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education. This includes Lockheed Martin's K-12 STEM Education Initiative, Engineers in the Classroom, as well as STEM-focused curricular and extracurricular programs that provide employee engagement opportunities in a community in which Lockheed Martin has employees or business interests. The maximum award varies. 501(c)(3) organizations that deliver standards-based science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to students in K-16 are eligible.
The deadline is rolling.
Pearson Foundation Announces Student Digital Storymakers Award
The Pearson Foundation and digital publisher, Atavist, have announced the details of the first annual Digital Storymakers Award -- an award that recognizes excellence in original student nonfiction narrative that blends, text, photo, video, interactive maps, and other rich media features. The award is open to high school, college, and graduate students, including those studying journalism, graphic arts, writing, photography and documentary video/film who create a nonfiction, multimedia narrative. The 2013 grand prize is $5,000 and publication in the Digital Storymakers App. Story submissions accepted starting January 1, 2013, and due April 15.
Partnership News
ASCD’s Whole Child Blog Features May/June 2012 Issue of Knowledge Quest
ASCD’s blog for its Whole Child Initiative features the May/June 2012 issue of Knowledge Quest. The post, written by Jami Jones, associate professor in East Carolina University’s Department of Library Science, highlights the need to include the topic of care in discussions about safety and offers links to multiple features in the “Caring is Essential” issue of KQ. As Jones notes, “Caring seems such a simple concept, but it is vital to any discussion about safety.”
Member Spotlight
Joquetta Johnson Presents at Digital Learning Day
Joquetta Johnson, librarian at Pikesville High School in Baltimore, Maryland, presented a lesson plan on February 6 for Digital Learning Day, a nationwide celebration of teaching and learning through digital media and technology that engages students and provides them with a rich, personalized, education experience. Johnson's presentation of her lesson plan,
"Raving about
The Raven with Touch and Learn Technologies," provided a snapshot of how to use 21st-century tools for teaching and offered a sample of digital resources used to facilitate students' understanding of literary devices in Edgar Allan Poe's
The Raven.
Toni Buzzeo Awarded Caldecott Honor at Midwinter
Author and school librarian Toni Buzzeo was awarded a Caldecott Honor for her book,
One Cool Friend, at ALA’s Midwinter Conference in January. The Caldecott Honor is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association. Buzzeo has published 11 books for teachers and librarians and publishes articles regularly in the professional literature as well as writing curriculum pieces for NoveList.
One Cool Friend is her 16th book for children. She recently sold her 21st, a picture book biography of elephant researcher Cynthia Moss.
(Clicking these links will first prompt you to log in to the AASL website.)
