Call for Proposals for CLASS II Field Studies
Are you interested in research about school librarianship? Would you like to become part of an important research agenda to pursue evidence that a strong school library program led by a professionally certified school librarian makes a difference in student learning outcomes? The CLASS: Causality: School Libraries and Student Success Request for Proposals may be of interest to you. Proposals are due June 15, 2017. Awardees will receive up to $10,000 to support research activities and will be notified by June 30.
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ESLS Call for Proposals and Papers
The Educators of School Librarians Section (ESLS) of AASL invites submissions for proposals for papers on original research focusing on school library practice or school librarianship. Selected papers will be presented in a concurrent session at the AASL National Conference & Exhibition to be held from Nov. 9-11, 2017, in Phoenix, Arizona. Proposals for papers which report preliminary findings on research in progress should be submitted no later than 11:59 EST on Friday, August, 11.
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AASL Seeks Program Proposals for 2018 ALA Annual Conference
AASL invites proposals for concurrent sessions to be presented during the 2018 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference. The conference will be held June 21–26 in New Orleans, La. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. Central on Friday, Aug. 25.
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Spend an Afternoon with Jordan Sonnenblick during AASL National Conference
Jordan Sonnenblick will appear as one of three featured speakers during “Authors in the Afternoon” presented during the AASL National Conference & Exhibition. Sonnenblick, along with Sarah Dessen and Christian Robinson, will discuss his work and answer attendee-submitted questions during this new author event taking place Thursday, Nov. 9. Registration and more information regarding the conference can be found at national.aasl.org.
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Thirty AASL Members Receive Bound to Stay Bound Grants to Attend First National Conference
Thirty members of AASL have been awarded a $750 travel grant to attend their first AASL national conference. Generously sponsored by Bound to Stay Bound Books, the grants will allow recipients to secure housing, transportation, and/or registration for the AASL National Conference & Exhibition taking place Nov. 9-11, 2017, in Phoenix, Ariz.
Nominating Committee Seeks Candidates for 2018 Election
The Nominating Committee for the 2018 ALA election is soliciting nominees to run on the 2018 spring ballot for the offices of ALA President-elect and Councilor-at-large. The Nominating Committee will select two candidates to run for President-elect and no fewer than 50 candidates for the 33 at-large Council seats to be filled in the 2018 spring election. Nominations and forms must be received no later than July 12, 2017.
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Suzanne Costner Named Top Humanities Educator and Aerospace Educator in Tennessee
 Suzanne Costner, school library media specialist at Fairview Elementary School, was named both a top humanities educator and aerospace educator in Tennessee. During the school’s STEAM Day, Costner received the Tennessee Air Force Association’s award for 2017 Aerospace Teacher of the Year, and her nomination has been forwarded for the AFA National Teacher of the Year Award. Earlier this year Costner became the first school librarian to receive the Humanities Tennessee Outstanding Educator Award.
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Kim Johnson Named 2017 Maryland School Librarian of the Year by MASL
Kim Johnson, media specialist at South Carroll High School, has been named the 2017 Maryland School Librarian of the Year by the Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASL) for her exemplary service and outstanding achievements in the field of school library. Johnson is empowered by her philosophy of librarianship based on connections. She creates opportunities for meaningful connections between students, faculty, information, and ideas.
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Kathy Lowe Advocates for School Library Positions in Local High School
Kathy Lowe, executive director of the Massachusetts School Library Association, advocates for school library positions at a local high school in a news article. “First and foremost, school librarians are teachers and experts in using, evaluating and locating information in whatever format it’s packaged, and also very adept at using technology,” she notes. “So they’re the full package.”
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AASL Award Winner Julie Stivers Featured in Local News Story
Julie Stivers, the recipient of AASL’s Frances Henne Award, was recognized for her achievement in a local news story. “When someone tells me they don't like to read the first thing I say is 'I love to hear that,' because it feels like a challenge," Stivers said. Stivers said she's all about creating a library space that truly reflects its readers.
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Education Cuts Draw Criticism
President Donald Trump published a proposed budget that includes more than $9 billion in cuts for education. The cuts drew swift action from more than 20,000 people who sent emails in opposition to the changes.
Department of Education Publishes Info about Completed ESSA Plans
Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have submitted proposed Every Student Succeeds Act plans. So far, according to the US Department of Education website, four are considered complete and ready for the peer-review process.
Instagram and Snapchat Affect Mental Health
A survey by #StatusofMind indicates that overuse of Instagram and Snapchat is affecting the mental health of young people. The platforms may be fostering feelings of inadequacy and anxiety among youths who engage often with them, says Shirley Cramer of the Royal Society for Public Health.
Family Income Linked to Students’ Financial Literacy
Family income may affect students' financial literacy, according to recently released results from the latest Program for International Student Assessment for financial literacy. Data show test-takers from higher-income families had more knowledge about financial concepts than peers from less-affluent families.
Video Games May Boost Learning
Eighth-grade students who learned US history with the help of short video games showed improved critical-thinking skills, and those who used games during assessments outperformed their peers, according to a forthcoming study of students in seven states. A separate study shows that a video game used in some Florida schools helped boost students' vocabulary skills.
Overall US College Enrollment Down 1.5%
Enrollment at US colleges dipped 1.5% overall for this spring semester, compared with a 1.3% decline last year, according to a study from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. For-profit colleges saw the largest drop of 10.1%, while community-college enrollment dropped 2.5%, the data show.
How Sunshine Affects Student Achievement
Exposure to sunshine before the start of the school day could boost student achievement, according to a study published in the Journal of Human Resources. Researchers compared data for students living in the eastern time zone with those living in the central time zone.
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Resources for School Librarians
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Library of Congress Offers Largest Release of Digital Records
In May the Library of Congress announced that it is making 25 million records in its online catalog available for free bulk download. This is the largest release of digital records in its history. The records also can be accessed at data.gov, the open-government website hosted by the General Services Administration.
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Principal Leads Adoption of Inquiry-Based Approach
In this commentary, Mary Beth Cunat, principal at a public K-8 magnet school, writes about how she led her school's adoption of inquiry-based practices. She also shares how she integrated technology by empowering educators to serve as the tech staff and by seeking grants and other funding.
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Teachers Tap VR Technology for Learning
Some educators are making virtual, augmented and mixed-reality part of their classroom lessons to prepare students for college and workforce. This feature highlights how elementary, middle, and high schools are using such technologies.
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How to Use Cell Phones as Learning Tools
Teachers should not be afraid to use cellphones in the classroom, asserts teacher Curtis White. In this blog post, he shares several tips, such as setting ground rules and expectations for students, that can help shift a cellphone from being a nuisance to a learning tool.
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Strategies for Creating Equitable Learning Environments
Creating more equitable learning environments for students requires an approach that integrates personal, professional and institutional practices, asserts Josh Thomases, dean of innovation, policy and research at Bank Street College of Education in New York City. In this blog post, he shares ideas for adopting the three-part approach.
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Ideas on Blending Guided and Independent Study
Middle-school teacher Amber Chandler explains how she came to incorporate both highly independent research projects and teacher-guided assignments in the classroom. Chandler describes how the novel "The Outsiders" inspired her students' research projects.
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How to Find Quality OER
Open educational resources are freely available online -- if you know where to look -- writes Bethany Rayl, a consultant and former superintendent. In this blog post, she shares several tips for finding quality OER.
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How One District Implemented Blended Learning
In this blog post, Barbara Haeffner, director of curriculum and instructional technology at Meriden Public Schools, describes how her district implemented a blended-learning program in just two years. She shares three ways officials helped make the implementation a success.
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What’s Trending in Literacy Education
This article highlights five strategies that can be used as best practices to help improve literacy in students in US schools. Among the strategies are personalized learning, tactile learning, and expanded early learning.
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Nominate a Librarian for 2017 I Love My Librarian Award
The American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting nominations for the 2017 I Love My Librarian Award, which recognizes the public service contributions that librarians make in transforming lives and communities through education and lifelong learning. The national award invites the public to nominate their favorite librarians working in public, school, college, community college, or university libraries. Nominations can be made through Sept. 18.
Beyond Words School Library Relief Fund
As severe weather strikes this summer don’t forget AASL and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is here to help you get your school library ready for school opening. The Dollar General Beyond Words fund provides grants to public schools whose school library program has been affected by a disaster. Grants are to replace or supplement books, media, and/or library equipment in the school library setting.
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