School Library Media Centers: Selected results from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2005302
The U.S. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) recently released some of the findings from a longitudinal study of 10th graders. Among the findings are that students in the lowest quartile of composite test scores make less focused use of library resources, while students in the middle and highest three quartiles of composite test scores reported higher use of library resources for assignments, in-school projects and research papers.
School Libraries Work! Danbury, Conn.: Scholastic Library Publishing, 2006.
This research foundation paper brings together position statements from a variety of organizations and findings from nearly a decade of empirical studies that cite the measurable impact of school libraries and library media specialists on learning outcomes. The report shows that school libraries administered by certified library media specialists are a powerful force in the lives of America’s children.
Lance, Keith Curry, and David V. Loertscher. Powering Achievement: School Library Media Programs Make a Difference: The Evidence Mounts. 2nd ed. San Jose, Calif.: Hi Willow Research and Publishing, 2002.
Primer for presenting research studies to groups of library media specialists, teachers, administrators and others; starting discussions based on the research of school library media programs with these audiences; implementing the research findings and measuring impact. Includes handouts that may be reproduced for these purposes. Based on the research from Colorado (I and II), Alaska, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Texas, Oregon, Massachussetts and New Mexico.
Lance, Keith Curry, Marcia J. Rodney and Christine Hamilton-Pennell. How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards. Denver: Library Research Service, 2000.
www.lrs.org/documents/lmcstudies/CO/execsumm.pdf
Executive summary of the second "Colorado Study" conducted by Keith Curry Lance and the Library Research Service.
Lance, Keith Curry. "The Impact of School Library Media Centers on Academic Achievement." School Library Media Quarterly 22, no. 3 (Spring 1994): 167-170, 172.
Keith Curry Lance, director of the Library Research Service, highlights the major findings and their importance to school library media practitioners, researchers and advocates of the original "Colorado study." Originally published in School Library Media Quarterly, the article has been reprinted online in School Library Media Research.
Other State Studies:
Alaska: Lance, Keith Curry, and others. Information Empowered: The School Librarian as an Agent of Academic Achievement in Alaska Schools. Juneau: Alaska State Library, 1999.
www.library.state.ak.us/dev/infoemp.html
California: Siminitus, Jackie. California School Library Media Centers and Student Achievement. Government, Education and Medical Markets, SBC Pacific Bell, 2002.
www.kn.pacbell.com/survey/k12libraries.pdf
Florida: Baumbach, Donna. Making the Grade: The Status of School Library Media Centers in the Sunshine State and How They Contribute to Student Achievement. 30 October 2003.
www.sunlink.ucf.edu/makingthegrade
Illinois: Lance, Keith Curry, Marcia J. Rodney and Christine Hamilton-Pennell. Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners: The Illinois Study. Illinois School Library Media Association, 2005.
www.islma.org/resources.htm
Iowa: Lance, Keith Curry, Marcia J. Rodney and Christine Hamilton-Pennell. Make the Connection: Quality School Library Media Programs Impact Academic Achievement in Iowa. Bettendorf, Iowa: Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency, 2002.
www.aea9.k12.ia.us/aea_statewide_study.pdf
Massachusetts: Baughman, James C. School Libraries and MCAS Scores. 26 October 2000.
http://web.simmons.edu/~baughman/mcas-school-libraries/Baughman%20Paper.pdf
Michigan: Rodney, Marcia J., Keith Curry Lance and Christine Hamilton-Pennell. The Impact of Michigan School Librarians on Academic Achievement: Kids Who Have Libraries Succeed. Lansing: Library of Michigan, 2003.
www.michigan.gov/documents/hal_lm_schllibstudy03_76626_7.pdf
Minnesota: Baxter, Susan J., and Ann Walker Smalley. Check It Out! The Results of the School Library Media Program Census: Minnesota School Library Media Programs. St. Paul, Minn.: Metronet, 2003.
http://metronet.lib.mn.us/survey/index.cfm
North Carolina: Burgin, Robert, and Pauletta Brown Bracy. An Essential Connection: How Quality School Library Media Programs Improve Student Achievement in North Carolina. June 2003.
www.rburgin.com/NCschools2003
Ohio: Todd, Ross J., and Carol C. Kuhlthau. Student Learning for Ohio School Libraries: The Ohio Research Study. Ohio Educational Library Media Association, 2004.
www.oelma.org/studentlearning.htm
Oregon: Lance, Keith Curry, Marcia J. Rodney and Christine Hamilton-Pennell. Good Schools Have School Librarians: Oregon School Librarians Collaborate to Improve Academic Achievement. Oregon Educational Media Association, 2001.
www.oema.net/Oregon_Study/OR_Study.htm
Pennsylvania: Lance, Keith Curry, Marcia J. Rodney and Christine Hamilton-Pennell. Measuring Up to Standards: The Impact of School Libraries & Information Literacy in Pennsylvania Schools. Greensburg, Pa.: Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries, 2000.
www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/lib/libraries/measuringup.pdf
Todd, Ross J. "Irrefutable Evidence: How to prove you boost student achievement." School Library Journal, April 1, 2003.
Todd, director of the Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries at Rutgers University, introduces systematic approaches to documenting school library media program impact on student achievement.
"Proof of the Power"
www.lrs.org/documents/fastfacts/164proof.pdf
November 19, 1999 Fast Facts (Library Research Service) bulletin on the research methodology for all three state studies, finding, and future implications. Other Fast Facts of interest to school library media advocates include:
"Librarians, Teachers & Librarian/Teacher Ratio in U.S. Public Schools: State Variations & Trends, 1989-1995" (April 8, 1999)
www.lrs.org/documents/fastfacts/159lmctrends.pdf"Well-Managed Library Media Programs That Cooperate With Local Public Libraries Linked to Higher CSAP Test Scores" (October 7, 1998)
www.lrs.org/documents/fastfacts/150LM2PL.PDF"Student Use of Library Media Programs Key to NAEP Success" (October 6, 1998)
www.lrs.org/documents/fastfacts/149NAEP.PDF"Library Media Specialists & Technology Linked to Higher CSAP Test Scores" (August 15, 1998)
www.lrs.org/documents/fastfacts/141LMTST.PDF"What Difference Does A School Library Media Specialists Make" (October 18, 1995; revised November 28, 1995)
www.lrs.org/documents/fastfacts/lmc112.pdf
"Technology Counts '98: Putting School Technology To the Test"
www.edweek.org/sreports/tc98
October 1, 1998 special report on the effectiveness of technology in the nation's schools.