CSLA Press Release

September 16, 2010

It’s High Time for High Standards: California

Model School Library Standards Approved
On September 16, 2010 the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the Model
School Library Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through
Grade Twelve. The Model School Library Standards for Students identify what
students should know and be able to do at each grade level or grade span to
enable students to succeed in school, higher education and the workforce.

The standards focus on information literacy skills in which students learn to

access, evaluate, use, and integrate information and ideas found in print,
media, and digital resources leading students to become life-long learners. The
standards are designed to be taught collaboratively by the classroom teacher
and the teacher librarian within the context of the curriculum, not taught as
research and information skills in isolation.

“CSLA wants to ensure that the Model School Library Standards are taught in all
California school libraries in collaboration with classroom teachers,” said CSLA
President Rosemarie Bernier. “Few educational leaders are aware of the limited
instruction students receive in how to use digital resources for academic work.
The SBE made a difference today by adopting the Standards, and is to be
commended.” Rosemarie is a National Board Certified Teacher Librarian at
Hamilton High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District and a member
of the Model School Library Standards writing team. A number of speakers
spoke at the SBE meeting in support of the standards, including CSLA and CDE
leaders Connie Williams, Susan Thompson, John McGinnis, Susan Martimo, and
Tom Adams.

Thomas T. Kaun, CSLA North Region President and Teacher Librarian at

Redwood High School commented, “This is fantastic news. I'd like to thank all
the leaders of CSLA who pushed this agenda forward and a huge thanks to
Barbara Jeffus and Susan Martimo at CDE, who helped us make this happen.”

In March 2009, the CBE approved the launch of a program to develop school
library standards. A library standards writing team developed draft standards;
The California Department of Education facilitated meetings with stakeholders
throughout the state to provide input and comment on the draft standards.
They were reviewed by teacher librarians, college and university librarians,
leaders of teacher librarian programs, and other information literacy experts.
The draft version of the standards is on the California Department of Education
web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/lb/. The new school library standards
will be edited, prepared for publication, and available in early 2011. Teacher
Librarians will take part in professional development workshops, conference
presentations, and curriculum development opportunities to receive training in
how to use the draft Model School Library Standards in schools.

Students need instruction in how to use digital resources for academic work.
Without instruction, they do not know how to evaluate information for
relevance, bias, or credibility. By collaborating with classroom teachers, teacher
librarians can teach the model school library standards within the context of
their subject areas. The standards are organized around four concepts followed
by overarching standards that continue across all grade levels with detailed
standards for each grade or grade span:

1. Students Access Information. The student will access information by

applying knowledge of the organization of libraries, print materials, digital
media, and other sources.

1.1 Recognize the need for information

1.2 Formulate appropriate questions

1.3 Identify and locate a variety of resources online and in other

formats using effective research strategies

1.4 Retrieve information in a timely, safe, and responsible manner

2. Students Evaluate Information: The student will evaluate and analyze

information to determine appropriateness in addressing the scope of
inquiry.

2.1 Determine relevance of information

2.2 Assess comprehensiveness, currency, credibility, authority, and

accuracy of resources

2.3 Consider the need for additional information

3. Students Use Information: The student will organize, synthesize, create,

and communicate information.

3.1 Demonstrate ethical, legal, and safe use of information in print,

media, and digital resources

3.2 Draw conclusions and make informed decisions

 3.3 Use information and technology creatively to answer a question,
solve a problem, or enrich understanding

4. Students Integrate Information Literacy Skills into All Areas of Learning:

The student will independently pursue information to become a life-long
learner.

4.1 Read widely and use various media for information, personal
interest, and life-long learning

4.2 Seek, produce, and share information

4.3 Appreciate and respond to creative expressions of information

The California School Library Association (CSLA) is a nonprofit organization

of Teacher Librarians, classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, district and
county coordinators of curriculum, media and technology, and others
committed to enriching student learning by building a better future for school
libraries. CSLA advocates, educates, and collaborates to build the foundation
for life-long learning and ensure that all California students and educators are
effective users of ideas and information.

###