SLS14 Implementation Benchmarks

Click here for the SLS14 summary.

I. Collaborations & Partnerships

1. Recommendation:

The 2014 School Library Summit (SLS14) participants value working together with the State Education Department (SED) to ensure all students have access to relevant resources and information and digital literacy instruction through a quality school library program and a certified school librarian in every school. This collaborative partnership is critical to student success.

Action Responsibility (in order of which organization takes the lead) Timeline Action Completed

1.1 Action:  SED offices and departments will invite SLS14 lead organizations, other education groups and SED staff experts in the development of resources and strategies for implementation of Common Core and other Learning Standards.

 SED, NYLA, SSL, SLSA 6 months  
1.2 Action: School library systems, working with SED will investigate ways to leverage local and state funding for the purchasing of electronic content based on sound instructional and collection development principles.  SLSA, SED 12 months  

II. Development & Distribution of Resources

2. Recommendation:

SLS14 lead organizations will partner with SED on a series of action steps intended to continuously develop and promote materials and resources that aid in the improvement, assessment and evaluation of school library programs and school librarians via multiple channels.  The action steps below are intended to ensure that all students will have access to a quality school library program and a highly skilled school librarian.

Action Responsibility (in order of which organization takes the lead) Timeline Action Completed

2.1 Action: The Empire State Information Fluency Continuum (IFC) will be prominent and accessible on EngageNY, as well as on the newly developed “Exemplary School Library Program” webpage of the Administrators’ channel of NYSED's website (below).

 SED, NYLA, SSL, SLSA 12 months  
2.2 Action:  Creation of an "Exemplary School Library Media Program” webpage on the School Administrators’ channel of the NYSED website with a list of key resources to assist administrators in developing and assessing strong school library programs. SED, SSL, SLSA 9months  
2.3 Action: The Empire State Information Fluency Continuum (IFC) becomes an integral part of NYSED teaching and learning resources that contribute to the successful implementation of State learning standards. SED, SSL, SLSA 18 months  
2.4 Action: SLS14 lead organizations will partner with SED to ensure that future review teams and resource guide creation groups can embed information fluency skills into curriculum and resource materials. SED, NYLA, SSL, SLSA 6 months  
2.5 Action: Update the Essential Elements on the SLMPE Rubric to reflect current practices in school library programs including Common Core Learning Standards and the Empire State Information Fluency Continuum and develop a toolkit to support the use of the SLMPE Rubric by every school district which will be prominent and accessible on EngageNY. SED< SSL, SLSA, NYLA 12 months  
2.6 Action: Evaluate, update and strengthen the NYLA-SSL/SLSA School Librarian Evaluation Rubric for APPR to reflect current best practices in student learning and instruction SED, NYLA, SSL, SLSA 12 months  

III. Research & Data

3. Recommendation:

The SLS14 lead organizations will partner with SED to review and update Basic Educational Data System (BEDS) Question 21, which provides critical data annually for multiple audiences about the status of New York State school library programs, resources and staffing.

Action Responsibility (in order of which organization takes the lead) Timeline Action Completed

3.1 Action: Revision of BEDS (Question 21 – Library Program) to reflect current practices and to make easily accessible key data that demonstrates the impact of school library programs and school librarians on student learning.

 SED, SSL, SLSA 12 months  

IV. Resources for Professional Development & Assessment

4. Recommendation:

The SLS14 lead organizations will come together to advance top quality professional development, evaluated using a consistent format, to be delivered to a wide array of constituents, including pre-service and in-service school librarians, teachers and administrators.

 

Action Responsibility (in order of which organization takes the lead) Timeline Action Completed

4.1 Action: Develop and implement plan for coherent and sustained development of school librarian competencies, leadership and confidence

 

 SED, NYLA, SSL, SLSA 12 months  
4.2 Action: Provide multiple opportunities for other constituencies to develop understanding of the importance of student access to quality school library programs and a highly skilled school librarian to achieving college and career readiness SED, NYLA, SSL, SLSA 18 months  
4.3 Action: Develop structures and tools to provide sustained support for professional development for school librarians and other constituencies. NYLA, SSL, SLSA, SED 12 months  

V. Marketing, Communication & Outreach

5. Recommendation:

The SLS14 lead organizations, partnering with SED where appropriate, will develop materials that clearly and concisely demonstrate these concepts and deliver that messaging via a wide array of vehicles and channels.

Action Responsibility (in order of which organization takes the lead) Timeline Action Completed

5.1 Action: Promote quality school library programs staffed by certified school librarians as essential to the implementation of the NYS Common Core Learning Standards through curriculum development, technology integration, and assessment.


 

 

 SSL, SLSA, NYLA, SED 12 months  
5.2 Action: Develop a campaign to increase knowledge and understanding among pre-service teachers and school administrators as to the positive impact of highly skilled school librarians, quality school library programs on student college and career readiness. SED, NYLA, SSL, SLSA 18 months  
5.3 Action: Professional organizations, in conjunction with SED, will establish a communication system with representatives from SSL, SED, iSchools, New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) and administrators’ organizations School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS) and New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS) to tell the story of the impact on all students’ college and career readiness through access to relevant resources and a certified school librarian in every school. NYLA, SSL, SLSA, SED 6 months  
5.4 Action: Professional organizations, in conjunction with SED, will increase awareness among administrators and librarians regarding the effective usage of categorical School Library Materials Aid through outreach and education.
 		 NYLA, SSL, SLSA, SED 12 months  
5.5 Action:  Professional organizations will provide resources and training to empower school librarians to develop active and sustained approaches to advocacy locally within the school and with their external partners. NYLA, SSL, SLSA 6 months  

VI. Funding and Legislation

6. Recommendation:

NYLA and the school library community will provide support to SED in advancing a recommendation for the increase of School Library Materials Aid, as well as other legislative actions that will improve school library programs.

Action Responsibility (in order of which organization takes the lead) Timeline Action Completed

6.1 Action: NYLA, working in partnership with SLS14 lead organizations and SED, will review current school librarian and School Library Materials Aid data, assess needs, and formulate a proposal for an increase in School Library Materials Aid.

 NYLA, SSL, SLSA, SED 6 months  
6.2 Action: NYLA and the school library community will provide support to SED in advancing a recommendation for the increase of School Library Systems aid as a key part of the infrastructure and leadership for achieving many of the SLS14 recommendations and action steps. The SLS has a key role in improving communications, delivering professional development and improving library programs through leadership and collaboration, particularly with technology and e-resources. NYLA, SSL, SLSA, SED 12 months  
6.3 Action: NYLA, working in partnership with SLS14 lead organizations, will continue to support legislation at the state and national levels that will ensure that all New York State students have access to quality school library programs, relevant resources and a highly-skilled, certified school librarian in every school.

 

 NYLA, SSL, SLSA, SED 12 months