Re: Job cuts

["Rita Kaikow (Oceanside High School)" <K12OCKZR@VAXC.HOFSTRA.EDU>]

>
> From your observation, is New York "at risk" because its library media
>specialists or teacher-librarians do not require classroom experience, or
>even a full year of education as a teacher, and thus as an occupational
>group have difficulty demonstrating cooperative program planning and team
>teaching? This is a sincere question, not meant to give offence. The
>research suggests that superintendents in particular do not believe that
>school librarians have enough teaching experience to realize their
>potential...
>
>
>Ken Haycock
>School of Library, Archival and Information Studies
>The University of British Columbia
>831-1956 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC  V6T 1Z1
>Voice: 604-822-4991  Fax: 604-822-6006
>Internet: haycock@unixg.ubc.ca


The above is obviously in response to some of the text in my reaction to the
fact that the West Nyack - NY school District is replacing all certified School
Library Media Specialists at the elementary school level with Civil Service
Librarians.  It is my hope that this is an isolated incident and will not be
repeated elsewhere.  As a matter of fact, in other school districts that went
the same route, I understand that several have reversed the process and are
returning to certified school library media specialists.  Being a realist, I
would have to say that New York will continue to be "at risk" until certified
school library media specialists are mandated at the elementary level as they
are at the secondary level.  Without that, they are easy targets when
budgets/costs are at issue.  To ward against that - all must be proactive and
seek support from various constituencies, especially the building PTA groups.
Many a LMS position has been saved due to earnest support from parents.  I also
would hope that NYLA as well as ALA continue to lend support to this issue.

Thanks for asking,

--
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                                       |              "A Puppy's Lament"
Rita Kaikow, Library Media Specialist  | The world is so big
Oceanside High School Library          |  And I am so small...
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Oceanside, NY 11572                    |    I won't make it at all.
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