REED-COCHRAN BILL WOULD IMPROVE SCHOOL LIBRARY PROGRAMS
Senators Offer Measure to Improve Literacy through Better School Library Systems
WASHINGTON, D. C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today joined U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) to introduce legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the school library program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the only federal initiative solely dedicated to supporting and enhancing school libraries.
The Strengthening Kids' Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act would ensure that funding is directed toward elementary and secondary schools, with emphasis placed on schools with at least 20 percent of students in poverty. The legislation also places a greater importance on digital literacy instruction. Funds would be issued through a competitive grant program.
“Libraries can be excellent environments in which children of all ages can broaden their knowledge on a variety of subjects,” Cochran said. “This legislation would provide the necessary tools to get resources into schools that need better library services and more qualified personnel. We want libraries to be an integral part of bettering our educational system.”
The SKILLs bill includes a number of provisions geared toward improving school libraries by:
- Requiring needs assessments, including student literacy needs, to determine content needs and to better coordinate library usage
- Implementing school library programs to help students improve digital literacy skills at all grade levels
- Broadening the focus of training, professional development and recruitment activities to increase the number of qualified and effective school librarians.
Cochran and Reed teamed up in the 110th Congress to introduce similar legislation. Their new bill has been referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which has jurisdiction over reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind education law.
The Mississippi Library Association is among the groups that support the Reed-Cochran SKILLs Act.
The bill is also cosponsored by Senators Patti Murray (D-Wash.), Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
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SUMMARY
Strengthening Kids' Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act
Reauthorizes and Strengthens the School Library Program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (the only federal initiative solely dedicated to supporting and enhancing our nation’s school libraries)
- Ensures that funds will serve elementary, middle, and high school students;
- Encourages coordination and shared planning time among school librarians and classroom teachers;
- Expands professional development to include digital literacy instruction that is appropriate for all grade levels, an assessment of student literacy needs, the coordination of reading and writing instruction across content areas, and training in literacy strategies in all content areas;
- Requires books and materials to be appropriate for and engage the interest of students in all grade levels and students with special learning needs, including English language learners;
- Provides grants on a competitive basis for a period of three years;
- Targets funding to school districts with 20% or greater levels of students in poverty;
- Ensures an equitable distribution of funds among the different geographic regions of the country and among urban and rural areas; and
- Requires greater coordination among other literacy, technology, and professional development funds and activities.
Amends Title I to Ensure Effective School Libraries
- Adds provisions to ensure the development of effective school library programs to help students develop digital literacy skills, master the knowledge and skills in the challenging academic content standards adopted by the state, and graduate from high school ready for college and careers.
Amends Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to Include School Librarians
- Broadens the focus of training, professional development, and recruitment activities to include school librarians; and
- Seeks to increase the number of highly effective school librarians.
Defines Key Terms
- Digital literacy skills is defined as it is in the Museum and Library Services Act of 2010 (“the skills associated with using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information”); and
- Effective School Library Program is defined as one that is staffed by a state certified or licensed librarian; has up-to-date books, materials, equipment and technology; includes regular collaboration between classroom teachers and school librarians; and supports the development of digital literacy skills.
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