AASL conducts state level workshops on ESSA implementation

For Immediate Release
Tue, 08/23/2016

Contact:

Jennifer Habley

Manager, Web Communications

American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

312-280-4383

jhabley@ala.org

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), in collaboration with the ALA Office for Library Advocacy and the ALA Washington Office, is offering a complementary, comprehensive workshop on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to each AASL-affiliated state association. The workshops build off of two well-received sessions presented by AASL during 2016 ALA Annual Conference and are part of the newly adopted “AASL Vision Plan for Implementing ESSA.” More information, including participating states and workshop dates, is available on the AASL website.

The workshops, presented by AASL leaders, will be customized to fit the needs of each state. Each workshop will include the most current information on developments at the Federal level, will connect ESSA language to the role of the school librarian and provide recommendations of opportunities at the state and local levels to ensure the ‘effective school library program’ language in ESSA.

The hands-on small group work will aid in identifying stakeholders, building coalitions, crafting messages and developing elevator speeches. While the content will be directly related to ESSA, the tools and exercise portion also serves as advocacy for positioning school librarians in general as leaders for teaching and learning.

“I am thrilled beyond words that school libraries and school librarians are written in the language of the Every Student Succeeds Act,” said AASL President Audrey Church. “Every child deserves the services of a certified school librarian and these workshops are part of the continuing effort AASL is undertaking to ensure school librarians have a voice during the ESSA implementation process. By attending, school librarians will be ready to conduct strategic discussions and develop specific plans for inclusion in the implementation process.”

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.