ALA and AASL: Assuring Quality in School Library Media Education Programs
For school library media specialists, the appropriate first professional degree is either of the following:
- A master's degree from a program accredited by ALA,
- A master's degree with a specialty in school library media from a program recognized by AASL in an educational unit accredited by NCATE.
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) works with educators and practitioners from the school library media community to conduct reviews of school library media specialist programs in cooperation with NCATE.
Through this review process, ALA/AASL has the opportunity to influence not only the pre-service education of the majority of library media specialists who are educated in non-ALA accredited programs, but also to help teachers and administrators develop appropriate expectations for library media specialists in Information Age schools.
AASL School Library Media program review information
AASL only recognizes master's programs. Program reviews are conducted as a part of NCATE's unit accreditation process.
- ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Programs for School Library Media Specialist Preparation (pdf)
- AASL-recognized School Library Media Education Programs
- Training opportunities for reviewers and program report writers
- Frequently asked questions about the AASL recognition process
- Information for School Library Media program administrators Information for program reviewers
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