Librarians are knowledgeable people. They know much about many things. Their tool is research.
The one thing that can
be said for smart people is that they are not one to turn away from helpful suggestions. Below are some suggestions for school
librarians to help in students scoring higher on
standardized tests.
Collaborate more- test scores have shown to increase when the degree to which library media specialists and teachers worked together; in addition to the amount of time library media specialists spent training teachers to use information technology.
Test scores can increase when the direct proportional ratio of students to library staff and their resources increases. (One computer will not suffice.)
Test scores increase significantly in schools which networked computers linked library media centers to classrooms and other instructional areas. (Computers in music and art rooms as well as homerooms and other classrooms.)
Test scores can increase when students have greater freedom to visit the library on their own and to utilize resources from home as well. Encourage reading.
Get teachers, parents, and the community involved.
Be a leader- be involved: students directly benefit from active leadership and role models.
Schools with both librarians and teachers are more likely to have students whom enjoy reading, thereby creating a desire to read more, thereby creating a greater amount of knowledge learned by students. The more highly trained a library staff is, the better chance for students to score higher on standardized tests.
The better equipped a library is with technology, the opportunity for higher scores increases exponentially.
The more staff a library has, the more students can be reached. No child should leave a library feeling ignored and not helped.
Students can benefit when they have access to subscription databases. (In other words, not using the computer to play only games and search for books- but to seek out knowledge)
Students'' test scores improve when librarians and teachers work together promoting the correct way to use on line tools. (Communication is a huge factor in education.)
Teaching basic literacy skills such as researching, finding, and using found information available to students on the internet prepares them to perform well on standardized tests.
Apply for grants; seek the services of a grant writer, if needed. They are out there. Enlist the assistance of your principal and other teachers.
Encourage donations, have fundraisers and book drops available. Prompt parent involvement through take home letters.
Answer any question asked of you- show a student how you would find an answer to which you are unaware. Together you will have learned something new.
Librarians became librarians primarily due to a love of reading--- Spread the love. Infect others with the joy of reading, of learning. Research is not painful!