Rationale FOR grading in library

[Doug Johnson <dougj@DOUG-JOHNSON.COM>]

Hi folks,

I know this is going to make me REAL popular, but I would like to =
suggest
there is a reason you might advocate for grading in the library.

Real teachers are the last thing to be cut in budgets. Real teachers =
assess
and report as a way of demonstrating not just if kids are learning, but =
if
they have actually been teaching. Real teachers who teach skills that =
are
seen as important by parents (such as technology and information skills) =
are
valuable. Media specialists who are seen as real teachers are less like =
to
be viewed as dispensable. Plus, not all classroom teachers teach =
technology
and information literacy skills, but ALL kids need them. We need to make
sure no child does not get these skills because of an uncooperative
classroom teacher.

Our elementary district media specialists evaluate and report on four
benchmarked areas: information literacy skills, technology skills, =
life-long
reading behaviors and appropriate use. Kids are given a M=3DMeets, =
E=3DExceeds,
N=3DNot met, and N/A=3DNot Assessed at least once each school year on =
one of two
progress reports. This is done on a database form and is relatively =
quick
and painless. Art, music and PE "specials" all grade in our district as
well, and they all see more kids that the media specialist. If I thought =
I
could not grade every student I see, I would at least pick some grades =
to do
so.

Best practice, perhaps not. Best strategy for keeping your job, perhaps.

All the best,

Doug
************
Doug Johnson
Director of Media and Technology
I.S.D. 77, Mankato Public Schools
Box 8713, Mankato MN 56002-8713
Voice: 507-387-7698, Fax: 507-387-2496
E-mail: dougj@doug-johnson.com
Web: www.doug-johnson.com

Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, because you are crunchy and =
taste
good with ketchup.=20

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