WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to boost student achievement and improve public school libraries, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) today introduced the Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act.  The SKILLs Act will help ensure that more students have access to effective school library programs that will help them compete in today’s information age.

School libraries are becoming high-tech learning environments that offer a wide range of print and electronic resources that provide learning opportunities to all students, especially those without computer access at home.  Highly-trained librarians who can teach students the digital literacy skills they need to find, analyze, and use information are key to helping students succeed in the classroom and prepare for successful careers in the future. More than 60 education and library studies have produced clear evidence that school libraries staffed by qualified librarians have a positive impact on student academic achievement.

“Knowing how to find and use information are essential skills for today’s students and tomorrow’s workers. A good school library, staffed by a trained librarian, is where students develop and hone these skills,” said Reed.  “The SKILLS Act is a focused federal investment in effective school library programs that will help ensure that more schools have the high-tech resources they need and certified librarians who can work with students and teachers.”

“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 bipartisan SKILLS Act will reauthorize and strengthen the school library program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.   This is the only federal education program aimed at ensuring that students have access to high quality school libraries. The key improvements to the program include ensuring that elementary, middle, and high school students are served; expanding professional development to include digital literacy instruction and reading and writing instruction across all grade levels; focusing on coordination and shared planning time between teachers and librarians; awarding grants for a period of three years; and ensuring that books and materials are appropriate for and gain the interest of students with special learning needs, including English learners.

The bill will strengthen Title I by asking state and school district plans to address 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.  Additionally, the legislation will broaden the focus of training, professional development, and recruitment activities under Title II to include school librarians. 

The SKILLs Act builds on the success of the Improving Literacy through School Libraries program, which in Rhode Island provided the Woonsocket Department of Education a $215,000 federal grant to replace outdated library materials, add one to two books per student at each library, extend library hours, and add new computers to connect students to information at other libraries.  The federal funds also increased resources for professional development in technology training for teachers and librarians.

The SKILLs Act is also cosponsored by Senators Patti Murray (D-WA), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

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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