Meeting of the Board of Regents | December 2008
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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12230 |
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TO: |
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FROM: |
Jeffrey W. Cannell
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TITLE OF ITEM: |
School Library Services: Impact on Student Achievement |
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DATE OF SUBMISSION: |
December 1, 2008 |
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RATIONALE FOR ITEM: |
To discuss critical opportunities to improve student achievement through the P-16 Education Reform Plan and strengthening of school library services |
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STRATEGIC GOAL: |
Goals 1-5 |
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AUTHORIZATION(S): |
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SUMMARY
Issue for Discussion
How to effectively utilize the findings of current research demonstrating that strong, effective school libraries are a proven key to achieving higher learning standards.
Reason(s) for Consideration
Review of policy.
Proposed Handling
This question will come before the Cultural Education Committee for discussion at the December meeting. A brief presentation of research findings, progress to date and future threats and opportunities will be followed by discussion.
Procedural History
The Regents are committed to the goals of ensuring that the educational system embodied in USNY enables every New Yorker to become a good reader. To this end, the Regents adopted the ten recommendations of the 2000 Regents Commission on Library Services as their public policy, including one of the Commission’s recommendations that is particularly related to strengthening student achievement, literacy and school libraries:
No. 2: “Ensure that all New York’s students are information literate by providing strong school library media programs that include appropriately certified professional staff, adequate resources, and technology.”
Background Information
Research from other states and most recently from New York State, clearly shows that effective school libraries with certified librarians, large and diverse collections, and expanded Internet access raise student test scores and achievement levels 10-20 percent, regardless of factors such as family economic level and school size. The June 2003 New York State Court of Appeals decision in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case regarding State funding of public schools specifically addressed the inadequacy of school libraries and urged the State to provide funding for up-to-date libraries that students need to succeed.
The Regents proposed an annual increase from $6.00 to $10.00 per pupil in School Library Materials Aid for 2006-2007. The 2007-2008 State budget permanently increased School Library Materials Aid to $6.25 per pupil. This increase is the first since 1998 and is a most welcome start, but much more needs to be done to strengthen New York’s school library media centers.
Recommendation
Regents policy, the Regents P-16 Education Reform Plan and future Regents priority budget and legislative proposals for schools and libraries should support implementation of strong school library media programs for all of New York’s students.
Timetable for Implementation
Implementation should begin immediately.