Collection Analysis

Test Data

Analyzing test data to find an area of need was difficult, and not just because I do not

teach in the school. [Redacted] Elementary School consistently outperforms both the district and

the state on SOL tests. However, I did find that over the past three years, science scores have

been declining. In just looking at pass/fail, the science pass rate went from 97% in 2015-2016, to

94% in 2016-2017, to 93% in 2017-2018. Granted, these numbers are not worrying; they have

simply gone from an A+ to an A-. However, once you look into the number of students earning

Pass-Advanced as opposed to proficient, and the scores within subgroups, it becomes clear that

there is a real decline, and disparities between groups.

Over the past three years, the gap between female and male students’ achievement on the

science SOL has widened. In th 2015-2016 school year, the percentages of students passing, and

passing advanced versus proficient, were largely the same between female and male students.

However, though female students remain just one percentage point behind male students in

overall pass rate over the past two years, the rate of students passing advanced versus proficient

has shown a widening gap. In the 2016-2017 school year, 45% of female students passed

advanced compared to 56% of male students, and in the 2017-2018 school year, the numbers

dropped to 27% of female students passing advanced compared to 39% of male students. Both

those years are a decline from 2015-2016, when over half of female and male students passed

advanced.
 Again, this is not a problem exactly - pass rates school-wide are still extremely high. It is

worrying, though, that there seems to be such a gap between female and male students. What is

even more worrying is the decline in pass rates for students with disabilities. In 2015-2016, SWD

had a 92% pass rate. By 2016-2017, that pass rate had fallen to 65%, and in 2017-2018, it was

58%. This is a much steeper decline than we are seeing in students without disabilities.

In 2018, students with disabilities made up just 12% of the student population, so small

numbers could easily be skewing data. However, all students need resources and support, so

focusing on even these small issues is important for students.

Analysis Process

Because I do not teach in this school, I had to be creative in analyzing the collection. I

was only able to visit the school library once, so I conducted one physical analysis of the

collection. I was also able to access some general collection reports from the school’s OPAC.

Beyond that, I had to content myself with using the school’s website. I wish I had been able to

spend more time analyzing the collection in other ways, and I feel that I am probably not doing

justice to the library with my cursory examinations.

One thing that stood out to me during the analysis was that although science scores have

been declining, the school library’s largest nonfiction section is the 500s, science and math. The

500 section makes up 11% of the total collection (behind only fiction and everybody, which

together make up 42% of the collection). This is the type of revelation that makes me want to do

further research - if the resources in general are there, are students and teachers not using them?

What else is affecting the students’ scores? (There are, of course, many factors that contribute to
test scores; in the context of this analysis, I am probably overstating the influence the library

collection has on student achievement.)

Collection Assessment

Since I was looking at science scores, I decided to focus on one topic that is covered in

5th grade (the grade the science SOL is administered). I chose cells, since the collection had few

resources on that topic. There were five items in the collection, in three formats: three books and

two DVDs; additionally, one website is listed in the collection and students have access to three

databases through the library that likely have information on cells (I am not able to access the

databases myself, without a county login). The collection includes one book on cells that I was

not able to examine, as it was checked out at the time. The items themselves are in good physical

condition: no torn pages or beat-up covers. The books were published in 2001 and 2003, and the

DVDs are from 2005 and 2006. The average age of all five resources is 2003. 16 years seems

fairly old for science resources.

Two of the books are recommended for grades 4-6; the one that I could not examine is

recommended for grades PK-3. The DVDs are recommended for 4th grade and up. In terms of

reading level, there is not much variety - only one of the three books seems accessible to

struggling readers. The website includes interactive activities that allow students to explore the

topic of cells. However, the colors on the website are neon on a black background, which could

be difficult for some people to look at.

Because I have never taught 5th grade science and do not know how much emphasis is

placed on cells, I am not sure if the collection adequately meets the curriculum needs of the
students. However, there seems to be a lack of resources for students with disabilities, including

students who may not be reading on grade level.

Rationale

If the ultimate goal is to support the students and improve their achievement (and, for

stakeholders, test scores), then adding resources to the collection on a science topic could only

help. In seeking out resources to recommend, I used Follett Titlewave and Mackin, and chose

resources that were reviewed and recommended by School Library Journal and Library Media

Connection. I sought out more recent titles; the oldest resource I have recommended is from

2008 while the rest are from 2010-2018. Additionally, students will learn more when they are

interested, so I have included resources that provide easy entry points (graphic novels) for

reluctant or struggling readers.

School information and data obtained through School Quality Profiles.

[Redacted] Elementary: Virginia Department of Education School Quality Profiles. (n.d.)

Retrieved May 3, 2019, from ​http://schoolquality.virginia.gov/schools/

Annotated Bibliography

Anders, M. (2017). ​Animal Cells: Fact Finders: Genetics.​ North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

This 32-page book uses full-color illustrations to explore the topic of animal cells. It

explains the different types of cells and how those cells work together so that animals can

function. This book and its accompanying series earn a favorable review from School Library

Journal, who says the series is “a fine choice for classrooms and school libraries everywhere”
(2017). Though School Library Journal recommends this text for middle and high schools, the

reading level is appropriate for grades 4-5.

Acquisition site: Follett Titlewave. Format: hardcover (library binding). Cost: $21.04.

Biskup, A. (2012). ​Vampires and Cells.​ North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

This is a graphic novel which is part of a series that uses monsters to explain scientific

topics. The 32-page book explores cells with mainly color illustrations of vampires and cells. It

received positive reviews from Library Media Connection and School Library Journal. Though

the text is a bit old, the graphic novel format is good for reluctant readers and its appeal may

make up for its age. The reading level is around 3-4th grade, making this a good resource for 5th

grade students who may not be reading on grade level.

Acquisition site: Follett Titlewave. Format: graphic novel, hardcover (library binding). Cost:

$23.54

Canavan, T. (2016). ​How Many Cells Are in Your Body?: Questions about cells and systems.

New York, NY: PowerKids Press.

This is a 32-page illustrated introduction into the topic of cells in the human body. It uses

a question-and-answer format and is part of a series that explores different topics related to the

human body. It is geared toward grades 4-8. About the series, School Library Journal says it

“ha[s] definite browser appeal and may spur readers to pursue additional research” (2016). The

reading level is 4-6th grade, which is on target for 5th grade students studying cells.

Acquisition site: Follett Titlewave. Format: hardcover (library binding). Cost: $19.74
Duke, S. S. (2014). ​Cells.​ Minnesota: Core Library.

This ebook is part of a series that is aligned to Common Core standards (which have

many similarities to the SOLs). It is a 48-page ebook that includes color illustrations, along with

charts and diagrams, to explore the topic of cells. It received positive reviews from Library

Media Connection and School Library Journal. Both reviews praise how the series encourages

students to question and think critically; Library Media Connection notes that though the books

are accessible, “they introduce a level of intellectual rigor rarely seen in texts written for

elementary students” (2014). The reading level is 4-5th grade, which is appropriate for 5th grade

students.

Acquisition Site: Follett Titlewave. Format: ebook (single-user access). Cost: $22.95

Keyser, A. J. (2010.) ​Basics of Cell Life with Max Axiom, Super Scientist.​ North Mankato, MN:

Capstone Press.

This graphic novel is one of many in the Max Axiom series, which centers on a scientist

who uses his superpowers to explain (in this case) cells to young readers. It is a 32-page

interactive ebook. Though it can be considered outdated, the format has high appeal, especially

for reluctant or struggling readers. The series is recommended by School Library Journal. The

reading level is around 3-4th grade, making this a good resource for 5th grade students who may

not be reading on grade level.

Acquisition Site: Mackin. Format: Publisher-hosted interactive ebook. Cost: $26.66

 ​ ew York, NY: Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Nelson, M. (2014). ​Cells Up Close. N

This 32-page ebook focuses on cells under the microscope. It includes full-color

illustrations of different types and parts of cells as they would look under a microscope. It

received a starred review from Library Media Connection when it was published. The reading

level is grades 4-6, which is on target for 5th grade students studying cells.

Acquisition Site: Follett Titlewave. Format: ebook (multi-user access). Cost: $39.90

Paris, S. H. (2018). ​Celulas. ​Huntington Beach, CA: Teacher Created Materials.

This is a Spanish translation of a book written specifically to adhere to 5th-grade science

curriculum. The 32-page book is illustrated and is part of a series of science texts for 5th grade

students. Though there are no reviews listed on the acquisition site, it is marked a “Best of

Titlewave” title. Adding this to the collection would help Spanish-speaking students who may

still be learning English.

Acquisition site: Follett Titlewave. Format: FollettBound Sewn. Cost: $13.56

Spilsbury, R. (2014). ​Cells: Essential Life Science.​ Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Library.

This 48-page ebook explores the topic of cells and includes instructions for experiments.

It is recommended by Library Media Connection, which notes its “study guide features:”

definitions, sidebars, and activities. The reading level is grades 4-6, which is on target for 5th

grade students learning about cells.

Acquisition Site: Follett Titlewave. Format: ebook (single-user access). Cost: $32.65
Visual Learning Company (Publisher/Producer). (2008). ​Cells​ [Motion picture]. USA.

This DVD contains a history of cell discoveries and an overview of the topic of cells. The

purchase includes a teacher’s guide with activities, assessments, and standards information.

Though it is an older title, it is recommended by School Library Journal, which calls it “a good

introduction to a unit on cells” (2009). The video also includes interactive sections, which would

likely work well in an elementary setting.

Acquisition Site: Follett Titlewave. Format: DVD. Cost: $79.95

Visual Learning Company (Publisher/Producer). (2008). ​Celulas = Cells​ [Motion picture]. USA.

This is the same DVD as the above resource, but in Spanish, with subtitles in English.

Having access to a Spanish version of the DVD could be an invaluable resource to

Spanish-speaking students who may still be learning English.

Acquisition Site: Follett Titlewave. Format: DVD. Cost: $79.95