K-12 education issues to headline AASL's President's Program in D.C.

Contact: Kathy Agarwal

Communications Specialist

312-280-4381

kagarwal@ala.org

For Immediate Release

March 15, 2007

K-12 education issues to headline AASL’s President’s Program in D.C.

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is proud to announce its 2007 President’s Program: “The Opportunity: From ‘Brutal Facts’ to the Best Schools We’ve Ever Had,” with Mike Schmoker. The program will be held on Saturday, June 23, 10:30 a.m. to noon, during the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

Mike Schmoker is the author of “Results: The Key to Continuous School Improvement” and “The Results Fieldbook: Practical Strategies for Dramatically Improved Schools” in which he argues that meaningful teamwork, measurable goals, and the regular collection and analysis of student performance data constitute the foundation for significant results. Schmoker has written numerous articles for Educational Leadership, Phi Delta Kappan, Education Week, and TIME magazine. A former English teacher, football coach, and central office administrator, he has trained and consulted in hundreds of schools and districts throughout the United States and Canada.

“Dr. Schmoker is a widely respected education consultant who has contributed to significant, measurable improvements in schools across the country,” said AASL President Cyndi Phillip. “We are thrilled Dr. Schmoker will be sharing his insights about school improvement, collaboration, and the importance of critical assessment at the AASL President’s Program. These issues are essential for school library media specialists and I invite everyone to attend this valuable program.”

The AASL President's Program is an annual event featuring prominent experts on issues relevant to school library media specialists; it is open to all registered conference attendees. The 2007 program is sponsored by the Rosen Publishing Group.

In addition to the President’s Program, AASL will host a variety of educational programs and exciting special events during the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. this summer. To find out more details, see http://www.ala.org/aasl/annual.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library media services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library media field.