Colorado Study revisited

["Hainer, Gene" <hainer_g@CDE.STATE.CO.US>]

The following press release was used for the official unveiling of the
Colorado Study here in Colorado. It did generate some TV news coverage, with
newspaper articles anticipated. The summary article has already appeared in
The School Library Journal (April) and the SLJ website, so this is probably
not new to most of you. AASL's Supervisors Section will be hosting Keith
Lance at a session in July to elaborate on these and other recent findings.

================================
Colorado State Library
Colorado Department of Education
201 E Colfax #309
Denver, CO  80203

NEWS RELEASE

FROM:           Bonnie McCune, public relations consultant
                Colorado State Library, 303.866.6891
                mccune_b@cde.state.co.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 25, 2000

NEW STUDY SHOWS IMPACT OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES, LIBRARIANS, ON STUDENTS

DENVER, COLORADO -- Educators and parents agree children need good skills to
succeed in school.  But how do they gain these skills?  A new study shows
that strong library media programs are an important component.

"How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards-the Second Colorado
Study," just released by the Library Research Service of the Colorado State
Library, Colorado Department of Education, demonstrates that student scores
on standardized tests are ten to eighteen percent higher at schools with
outstanding library media programs and staff.

Deputy Commission of Education Dick Elmer said, "We are beginning to isolate
data which enables us to determine the factors that contribute to higher
student achievement on the CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program) test.
I've always believed school libraries play a critical role in successful
teaching.  I'm not surprised they contribute to higher CSAP scores."

The study found that CSAP reading scores are higher in schools whose library
media programs are better staffed, stocked, and funded, and where library
media specialists play a leadership role in their schools, collaborate with
classroom teachers in the design and delivery of instruction, and utilize
computer networks to extend the reach of the library media center throughout
the school.

School library media specialists who are leaders meet regularly with their
principals, serve with teachers on standards and curriculum committees, and
meet regularly with their own staff.

Collaborative library media specialists provide in-service training and
planning assistance to teachers as well as deliver information literacy
instruction to students.

"Hi-tech" library media programs utilize local or wide-area networks to make
information resources available to students and teachers in classrooms,
labs, offices-wherever learning is taking place.

The research took into consideration school differences such as district
expenditures per pupil, teacher/pupil ratio, and community differences such
as racial/ethnic and income demographics.  The relationship between library
media factors and test scores is not explained away by other school or
community conditions.

The study was a follow-up to a 1993 study.  In 1993, the Colorado State
Library published "The Impact of School Library Media Centers on Academic
Achievement."  This first study demonstrated that quality library media
programs led to higher student test scores.  The replication and expansion
of the study in 1999 also looked at Colorado Student Assessment Program
(CSAP) scores.

It corroborates the original findings as well as evaluating the role of the
school librarian media specialist and the relationship between better school
library services and better student performance.  Similar recent studies for
Alaska and Pennsylvania also support these findings.   The study was
conducted by the Colorado State Library and the University of Denver Library
& Information Services Department.

For information on the study, contact Keith Curry Lance or Marcia J. Rodney,
303.866.6906, fax 303.866.6940, E-mail conner_l@cde.state.co.us.  Copies are
available via interlibrary loan from state publications depository libraries
statewide. For a variety of documents related to the study, visit the
Internet at http://www.lrs.org. The University of Denver Library &
Information Services Department will publish the complete study shortly
through Hi Willow Publishing, P O Box 720400, San Jose, CA  95172-0400,
1.800.873.3043; http://www.lmcsource.com.

# # # # #
____________________________________________
Eugene Hainer
Colorado State Library
201 E. Colfax rm. 309   (303) 866-6730 ph.
Denver, CO   80203      (303) 866-6940 fax
hainer_g@cde.state.co.us

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email to:
listserv@listserv.syr.edu   In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
4) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv.
For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.html
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=