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Articles by Debra Kachel
Employing school librarians: What decision-makers tell us
For over a decade, school librarians have been gradually disappearing from K-12 schools. In 2009-10, the 50 states and the District of Columbia reported more than 52,500 full-time equivalents (FTEs) of school librarians; by 2022-23, those FTEs had dropped to just over 39,300 — a 25% decrease (National Center for Education Statistics, n.d.). By 2022-23, more than a third of local school districts reported having no school librarians.
Pa. requires libraries in prisons. But not in schools. Why? | Opinion
By Debra E. Kachel All students are assessed on the same scale for standardized tests. If this were truly fair, shouldn’t they also have access to the same educational resources with which to learn? An education can only be so effective without quality instruction, teachers, specialists, librarians, and access to information, reading materials, and technology. And Pennsylvania has a serious issue with providing these to our students.
Why school librarians matter: What years of research tell us
Since 1992, a growing body of research known as the school library impact studies has consistently shown positive correlations between high-quality library programs and student achievement (Gretes, 2013; Scholastic, 2016). Data from more than 34 statewide studies suggest that students tend to earn better standardized test scores in schools that have strong library programs.
A Perfect Storm Impacts School Librarian Numbers
Several circumstances created a confluence or “perfect storm” of conditions that contributed to school librarian cuts. Here’s a look at likely issues at three levels—national, state, and local/school district. Many library positions are lost when librarians retire and are not replaced. The aging of the profession is a factor: The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that librarians represent a somewhat older profession than teachers.
Analysis: The calamity of disappearing school libraries
Houston leads the nation in an alarming trend From coast to coast, elementary and high school libraries are being neglected, defunded, repurposed, abandoned and closed. The kindest thing that can be said about this is that it’s curious; the more accurate explanation is that it’s just wrong and very foolish.
The Calamity of the Disappearing School Libraries
From coast to coast, elementary and high school libraries are being neglected, defunded, repurposed, abandoned, and closed. The kindest thing that can be said about this is that it’s curious; the more accurate explanation is that it’s just wrong and very foolish.
School Libraries Are Under Attack
From coast to coast, elementary and high school libraries are being neglected, defunded, repurposed, abandoned, and closed. The kindest thing that can be said about this is that it’s curious; the more accurate explanation is that it’s just wrong and very foolish.
The calamity of the disappearing school libraries
From coast to coast, elementary and high school libraries are being neglected, defunded, repurposed, abandoned and closed. The kindest thing that can be said about this is that it’s curious; the more accurate explanation is that it’s just wrong and very foolish.
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