| Testimony: Patrick Transition Team, 12/7/2006 |
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Testimony before the Patrick Transition Team, Lowell December 7, 2007 School Libraries Support 21st Century Learning Respectfully submitted by Judi Paradis, Legislative Committee, Massachusetts School Library Association The rate of change is increasing -> Students must be prepared to be independent learners with solid critical thinking skills. A strong school library program provides students with research skills they will need for lifelong learning. Access to information, both accurate and inaccurate, is immense and immediate -> Over 1 billion searches are done on Google each day. It is easy to find information, but very difficult to verify its accuracy, reliability, or importance. A strong school library program teaches students to access the best information and to critically evaluate all information. Our world is now multicultural -> Students will enter the global economy and must understand how to interact with individuals from around the world. A strong school library collection reflects the diversity of our world by providing students with books and other resources that open a window to the larger world. Technology is a key component of our lives -> Students must be able to use technology to access information and to demonstrate learning. Students who are comfortable with basic technology skills have a strong advantage in learning and in the workplace. A strong school library program authentically incorporates technology into student learning. School library teachers also provide professional development to faculty members in areas of information access and technology resources. The achievement gap must be addressed -> In an increasingly complex world, all students need strong academic skills. The Federal No Child Left Behind legislation reinforces the need to teach all students well. A strong school library program provides the resources for teachers to differentiate student learning so that students across the learning spectrum have appropriate materials to aid their learning. Since 1999, seventeen states have demonstrated that good school library programs are linked to higher academic achievement. See School Libraries Work! http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/printables/downloads/slw_2006.pdf The Massachusetts Department of Education does not provide any specific funding, leadership or statewide standards for its school libraries due to their exclusion from Chapter 70. Bill H1196 would amend Chapter 70 to include libraries and allow the DOE to set the standards we believe are necessary for strong library programs staffed by professional library teachers. |
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