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Youthful Outlook

June 20, 2007

NCLB legislation supporting school librarians

There is remarkable news in the June 2007 issue of School Library Journal!

Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) have been working hard drafting new language that will hopefully be included in the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). While acknowledgeing the contributions of school librarians and school libraries, this new language would place library media specialists in the “highly qualified” category along with classroom teachers, paving the way towards having a certified librarian in every school by 2010.

What will this new NCLB status mean for school librarians? Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Washington Office states, “If librarians are granted ‘highly qualified’ status, not only will their jobs be better protected, but they’ll also qualify for any professional development money that’s set aside for educators who belong to the coveted group.”

It’s understood that school districts will have until 2010 to comply and that some school districts that do not have a library or can’t afford a librarian will apply for a waiver, but this is definitely a step in the right direction!

posted by Sharon at 2:51 pm |

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