Feedback sought on ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Programs for School Librarian Preparation

Contact: Stephanie Book


AASL Manager, Communication


(312) 280-4389

sbook@ala.org

NEWS


For Immediate Release


March 30, 2010

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), welcomes comments from school librarians, educators and students at school librarianship programs on the draft revised ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Programs for School Librarian Preparation. Review the draft revised standards and submit comments via survey at
www.ala.org/aasl/NCATEstandards. Comments will be collected until August 1, 2010.

The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) has a seven-year review cycle for program standards. As part of the process for revising the standards, the AASL/NCATE Coordinating Committee seeks feedback from a wide range of constituents. The revised program standards reflect newly published learning standards and program guidelines in the field. Major changes in the revised standards include:



  • highlighting “Teaching for Learning” as the first standard, reflecting the key teaching role of the school librarian;
  • including collaboration and the role of instructional partner under the “Teaching for Learning” standard;
  • presenting both “Literacy and Reading” and “Advocacy and Leadership” as separate standards, reflecting the importance of each in the field; and
  • the addition of Professional Ethics as an element under the “Program Management and Administration” standard.

Final approval of the revised standards is expected in October 2010. Beginning with the fall 2012 semester, all programs must be reviewed using the new standards. Open hearings on the draft revised standards were held at ALA 2009 Annual Conference and 2010 Midwinter Meeting. Comments received at those hearings have been taken into consideration by the standards committee.

ALA policy states that for school librarians, the appropriate first professional degree is either a master's degree from a program accredited by ALA or a master's degree with a specialty in school librarianship from a program recognized by AASL in an NCATE-accredited educational unit. NCATE accreditation with AASL national recognition is an assurance of quality for programs in school librarianship. These standards are the basis for AASL/NCATE program review and the process leading to the decision that a program meets standards and should receive national recognition. The standards describe what proficient candidates should know and be able to do as they complete their program.For more information on AASL/NCATE recognition and the standards approval process, to review the draft ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Programs for School Librarian Preparation or to complete the comments survey, visit
www.ala.org/aasl/NCATEstandards. The American Association of School Librarians,
www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library 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 field.



###