NEA signs on to support Learning4Life

Melissa B. Jacobsen


AASL Communications Specialist


(312) 280-4381


mjacobsen@ala.org

NEWS


For Immediate Release


June 30, 2009

CHICAGO – The National Education Association (NEA) has recently signed on to support the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) national implementation plan for its standards and guidelines, Learning4Life (L4L). NEA joins several other state and national organizations that have pledged their support for L4L. A full list can be found at
http://www.ala.org/aasl/learning4life.

"AASL is grateful for NEA’s support of school libraries and the L4L initiative. It acknowledges that school libraries are in a unique position to assist teachers by aligning the ‘Standards for the 21st-Century Learner’ with curriculum content," said AASL President Ann M. Martin. "NEA's leadership in endorsing L4L builds awareness, understanding and commitment to the shared vision of graduating students who are prepared for a lifetime of success."

L4L was created to support states, school systems and individual schools in their efforts to implement the "Standards for the 21st-Century Learner" and "Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs." The plan will also increase awareness and understanding of the learning standards and guidelines and create a committed group of stakeholders with a shared voice.

At the completion of L4L implementation, AASL envisions a society of learners who are able to thrive in a complex information environment; seek diverse perspectives; gather and use information ethically; and use social tools responsibly and safely.

National support for this plan is essential. A high priority goal of L4L is that every school library media specialist, 60,000 nation-wide, is aware of the new standards and guidelines. AASL's reach includes 10,000 AASL members and 31,000 members of AASL state-level affiliates. In order to reach this wider audience, AASL will need to rely on the support of national organizations such as NEA, as well as state education associations, media outlets and parent and community audiences.

The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.

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.