American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina add their voice to ESSA state planning

CHICAGO –Three additional states have added their voice to the call for school librarian participation in the development of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) state implementation plans. More than 150 school librarians and educational stakeholders in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina attended workshops on Oct. 20 and 21 highlighting the intersections between ESSA provisions and effective school library programs.

California and Vermont school librarians ensure their role in state ESSA plans

CHICAGO – On Oct. 8, more than 85 school librarians and educational stakeholders in California and Vermont attended workshops dedicated to unpacking the provisions for school libraries in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The workshops focused on highlighting opportunities within ESSA language for school librarians and school libraries to be addressed in state and local plans.

New York ESSA momentum builds

CHICAGO – On Oct 1., school librarians and educational stakeholders in New York attended a workshop dedicated to unpacking the provisions for school libraries in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Presented by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), the complimentary workshops are part of an outreach effort to AASL state affiliates to highlight opportunities within ESSA language for school librarians and school libraries to be addressed in state and local plans.

AASL president to help ensure critical role of school librarians included in Virginia ESSA state plan

CHICAGO — On Friday, Oct. 21, school librarians and education partners from across the state will gather in Norfolk to prepare themselves to be active participants in Virginia Every Student Succeeds (ESSA) implementation. The workshop will start a discussion on how librarians connect with specific components of the legislation, identify how these align with the current state plan and develop an actionable plan to work with state education officials to ensure that all children in Virginia have access to an effective and well-funded school library program.

AASL releases standards and guidelines research findings

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has released a summary report of the data collected as part of the evaluation and remodeling of its learning standards and program guidelines. The goal of the research was to assess attitudes and perceptions about the current products, including content and usability. The research also collected information on how AASL might improve its implementation assistance. To read the report, visit www.ala.org/aasl/standards/revision.

Applications open for the 2017 AASL awards program

CHICAGO - Applications for the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 2017 awards season are now available. AASL members are encouraged to nominate a colleague or themselves to be lauded for their outstanding talent and dedication to the profession as part of this prestigious program. AASL awards and grants recognize excellence and showcase best practices in the school library field in categories that include collaboration, leadership and innovation.

Applications are now open for:

Follett supports AASL’s ESSA implementation efforts

CHICAGO – Follett School Solutions continues to support the importance of school librarians in students educational careers with a matching funds sponsorship of American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) implementation workshops. Presented nationwide through collaboration with AASL state affiliates, the workshops highlight opportunities within ESSA language for school librarians and school libraries to be included in state and local plans.

AASL coalition focuses on school library advocacy and legislation

CHICAGO – To strengthen and consolidate its advocacy and legislation efforts, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has launched an Advocacy and Legislation Coalition. The coalition’s goal is to increase two-way communication between AASL and state and local stakeholders and allow AASL to proactively respond to issues impacting the profession.

Georgia, Illinois and Indiana school librarians unpack ESSA

CHICAGO – On Sep. 24, school librarians and educational stakeholders in Georgia, Illinois and Indiana attended workshops dedicated to unpacking the provisions for school libraries in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

New research articles examine leadership, capstone projects and library supervisors

CHICAGO - Three new articles are now available in the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR). SLR promotes and publishes high quality original research concerning the management, implementation and evaluation of school library programs. Articles can be accessed at www.ala.org/aasl/slr.