Poor school libraries put student achievement in jeopardy
Posted: Sunday, August 26, 2012 12:15 am | Updated: 8:24 am, Sun Aug 26, 2012.
The State Board of Education has released the findings of its Pennsylvania School Library Study, and the overall condition of public school libraries might be described in one word: pitiful.Although some school districts no doubt have top-notch, or at least adequate, libraries in which their students can experience the wealth of benefits contained in these resource centers, far too many young people are being deprived of this vital learning asset. Allison Burrell, a school librarian in the Southern Columbia School District, told the House Education Committee last week that “student achievement in all subject areas is in jeopardy” because of fewer librarians and a shortage of updated materials.
The library study showed that 128 Pennsylvania schools — 103 of them in Philadelphia — have no library at all. While 1,972 schools have librarians, fewer than 40 percent of them work full time. Some librarians are forced to shuttle among several buildings.
As for keeping books and other resources up to date, one superintendent in a self-described “high-poverty school district” said the average age of books in his elementary schools is 17 years; high school-level materials are even older. We would hope such a situation is atypical and that most school libraries aren’t using reference looks from the 1990s. That’s one of the big problems every library experiences: staying current with new books, periodicals and computer hardware and software. All of those things cost money — money school districts don’t have.
Remarks by Upper Bucks state Rep. Paul Clymer, R-145, the chairman of the Education Committee, seem to indicate he was at least a little surprised by the rundown condition of so many school libraries. He said the hearing “has given me a new perspective. ... We certainly will make strong recommendations that will benefit those who teach in the libraries of our public schools.”
That is, in fact, what librarians are. They’re teachers whose knowledge must span every subject area. Unfortunately, too many people have an image of librarians as little old ladies who shuffle books and tell little kids to keep quiet. Seldom are they acknowledged for the important work they do.
But they can only do so much when their numbers are spread so thin and they are given poor tools to work with. The state has guidelines for how much per pupil should be spent on school libraries. The guidelines are largely ignored. Skimping on libraries is a false economy, however. Students are being deprived, especially those from lower-income households whose only source of books and other educational and entertainment resources is the schools. The library study showed that students in schools where libraries receive higher funding score higher on PSSA reading and writing tests.
Whether lawmakers have the means or the will to properly fund school libraries remains to be seen. They’re cheating the students if they don’t.
Remarks by Upper Bucks state Rep. Paul Clymer, R-145, the chairman of the Education Committee, seem to indicate he was at least a little surprised by the rundown condition of so many school libraries. He said the hearing “has given me a new perspective. ... We certainly will make strong recommendations that will benefit those who teach in the libraries of our public schools.”
That is, in fact, what librarians are. They’re teachers whose knowledge must span every subject area. Unfortunately, too many people have an image of librarians as little old ladies who shuffle books and tell little kids to keep quiet. Seldom are they acknowledged for the important work they do.
But they can only do so much when their numbers are spread so thin and they are given poor tools to work with. The state has guidelines for how much per pupil should be spent on school libraries. The guidelines are largely ignored. Skimping on libraries is a false economy, however. Students are being deprived, especially those from lower-income households whose only source of books and other educational and entertainment resources is the schools. The library study showed that students in schools where libraries receive higher funding score higher on PSSA reading and writing tests.
Whether lawmakers have the means or the will to properly fund school libraries remains to be seen. They’re cheating the students if they don’t.
23 comments:
I saw the movie.
Straight to video?
We too have library issues in MSD. Where it fits in the pantheon of problems I don't know.
A lot of cars at the high school today, anybody know?
sorry to say i agree with marlis here. get some parent volunteers into the schools to handle the elementery kids and get the internet online with library materials for the older kids.
When did "marlis" suggest this?
Let's just get volunteers for everything. All problems solved at zero cost. Yay!
How did the elementary library work out with the last parent volunteer? I believe her name was Alina Marone. I believe she was totally stymied and possibly even alfalfa'd.
...through no fault of her own.
Saw lots of teachers running to their cars in the rain. A meeting about negotiations, perhaps?
How will the library at the High School be used effectively by Grades 3 through 12? I'd like to see that library schedule!
"Saw lots of teachers running to their cars in the rain. A meeting about negotiations, perhaps?"
Do they all drive BMW's and Lexus like Steve Worob said?
No.....but 97K (top of the salary guide) can supply some sweet rides.
The contract has been up for 2 mos., so it would make sense to get serious about a new one.
Let's do a Neshaminy and jerk around for 5 yrs. No way does all the media warfare make that community look like a bunch of d-bags!!!!
On this earlier thread, someone said that 13 MSD teachers (out of 70 some) are at the top. Is that accurate?
http://mvbulldogbanter.blogspot.com/2012/06/potluck-51.html
I can't quite read the print in the graphic in the thread below, but it looks like the average MSD salary is $58-$59K, lowest of all L. Bucks public districts by a wide margin. Not peanuts, but not exactly the 1%.
http://www.phillyburbs.com/facts-about-your-school/pdf_c3cae542-682d-5c33-b1fc-ca0714071c49.html
In regards to the library, it is difficult for it to be used effectively when it is simply not maintained and pretty much a mess. Resources are sorely outdated and if anyone gets a chance, take a peek behind the main desk on the right as you first walk in. It's just gross. A study was done by PDE and their recommendation was to hire a full time library assistant to get the library looking and running the way it should. As usual, the opinion of the experts was completely ignored.
Thanks. That's the kind of factual insight we need more of. Sorry for ending that last sentence with a preposition.
The average MSD teacher salary of 58-59 K is likely a result of replacing retiring teachers with new teachers.
Re library, who needs experts when you know best??
"The average MSD teacher salary of 58-59 K is likely a result of replacing retiring teachers with new teachers."
Yup, that's pretty much how it goes. It is also why there is sometimes an early retirement incentive.
Morrisville Schools still working on teachers' contract
By GEMA MARIA DUARTE Staff writer | 0 comments
Posted on August 28, 2012
by Gema Duarte
The contract for Morrisville teachers expires Friday, but negotiations with the school district will go on beyond that.
Talks are scheduled for early September, district Superintendent Bill Ferrara said Tuesday.
“We have a good working relationship,” he said, adding that he’s confident both sides will agree on a bargaining agreement that will benefit union members and the district.
The contract with the Morrisville Education Association covers 69 teachers, two guidance counselors and a school psychologist.
Neither side is discussing the main issues on the table.
Under the current six-year contract, union members' health care coverage calls for a $10 doctor visit co-pay, $15 for specialist co-pay and $35 co-pay for an emergency room visit. If admitted, members pay a $500 co-pay but the district reimburses $400 of that.
In the first year of the contract, the 2006-07 school year, union members paid 7 percent of their health care premium. By the last year, that payment increased to 10 percent.
For eye care, union members pay a $15 eye exam co-pay with a $125 lens reimbursement.
Prescription drugs have three levels of costs, ranging from $15 to $35.
As for pay, all new hires in the district will begin on step OA of the scale, unless the superintendent and the new hire agree on a different step because of the professional employee’s prior teaching experience, according to the contract. The OA means nothing specific, Ferrara said.
During the 2006-07, a newly hired employee with a bachelor’s degree earned $40,784, and an employee with a master’s degree and 30 credits was paid $51,401 a year. Teachers with 12 or more years of experience and a bachelor’s degree earned $67,871 and those with a master’s degree and 30 credits earned $86,731.
As the contract ends, a first-year teacher with a bachelor’s degree earns $45,896. Teachers with a master’s degree and 30 credits earn $57,843. Teachers with 12 or more years of experience with a bachelor’s degree earn $76,378, while union members with a master’s degree and 30 credits receive a salary of $97,602.
Did someone say volunteers? It is like pulling teeth to get some to do something that requires a physical act.
Maybe this will be the year of change!
Yes! But that's also why it's pretty lame to throw around suggestions on using volunteers. Human nature isn't going to change except at a geological pace.
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