ESSA Every Student Succeeds Act

Implications for School Library Programs

Debra E. Kachel

Adjunct Professor, Antioch University Seattle

ALA/AASL Victory! After eight years without a reauthorization, ESSA becomes law with references to school libraries and librarians.

More than 10,580 emails registered on this issue and 15,552 new advocates registered in Engage, ALA’s online grassroots network.

New ESEA Law Signed• On December 10, 2015, President Obama

signed into law a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). 

• No Child Left Behind (NCLB) to end June 30, 2016

• Newly reauthorized ESEA called Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). 

• Goes into effect for the 2017-18 school year. • Authorized for four years

Some Major Changes • Gives states more control over how money is spent, testing, standards

(does not endorse any specific set of academic standards, such as Common Core), school turnarounds, and more 

• No federal role in teacher evaluation

• Same testing schedule; however, proficiency on tests, English-language proficiency, and graduation rates now set by each state (permits assessments to be partially delivered in format such as portfolios, projects, or extended performance tasks)

• States have to identify and intervene in the bottom 5 percent of performers and continue to report on sub-groups (economically disadvantaged, major ethnic and racial groups, students with disabilities, and ELL)

What is Included about School Libraries?

• Specifically includes school librarians in the definition of “specialized instructional support personnel”

• Title I plans must be developed in consultation with “specialized instructional support personnel”

• Authorizes, but does not require, Title I plans to describe how effective school library programs will provide students an opportunity to develop digital literacy skills and improve academic achievement

• Districts are required to conduct a needs assessment every three years which must include access to “personalized learning experiences” which may include access to libraries

IAL – Big Win!Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL)

• Now authorized and funded in ESSA (previously funded through appropriations bills) = Now dedicated funding

• Competitive grant program that promotes literacy programs in low-income, high-need communities (must have a 20% poverty rate)

• Can be used to develop and enhance effective school library programs, which may include “professional development for school librarians, books, and up-to-date materials for high-need schools”

Funds for School Libraries• Authorizes, but does not require, states, as well as school districts, to use grant and subgrant

funds for:• “supporting the instructional services provided by effective school library programs”

• “providing time for teachers and school librarians to meet, plan, and collaborate on comprehensive literacy instruction

• “providing professional development for school librarians”

• “providing access to school libraries”

• Title I plans must address access to effective school library programs as part of professional

development efforts

• Districts must develop plans describing “how effective school library programs will provide

students an opportunity to develop digital literacy skills and improve academic achievement”

What is NOT Included about School Libraries • Does not require or mandate school librarian staffing, whether

certified or not

• Fell short on defining an effective school library program

An "effective school library program" was defined in S.312 (The SKILLS Act), but could not be agreed to in the ESSA law. The following did NOT make it into the new law. However, this is the definition that AASL/ALA is promoting.

An effective school library program:(1) is staffed by a state sanctioned school librarian; (2) has up -to-date materials and technology, including broadband; (3) includes regular collaboration between teachers and school librarians concerning school reform.

What Happens Now at the National Level?

• In February, Pres. Obama submitted his FY2017 budget, but Congress is unlikely to pass it as is. It includes:• A modest overall increase of 1.9%

• Flat funds most programs for special education and low performing schools

• ALA/AASL continuing work:• Submitted letters on implementing Title I through school library programs

• Working on causal research on the impact of school libraries (CLASS)

• Developing advocacy training for school librarians to work locally and on the state level

• ALA's Washington Office continues to work on funding for LSTA and IAL

• AASL is revising the 2007 standards with a three year timeline for implementation

What Should Happen at the State Level?

State library and education associations should work together to:

• Develop a definition of “an effective school library program” that the state department of education will endorse

• Propose solutions for implementing ESSA that show how school library programs provide students with opportunities “to develop digital literacy skills and improve academic achievement”

• Ensure that school libraries are included in competitive grant programs funded with federal dollars (IAL, LEARN, etc.)

• Support schools in applying for federal grant funds to improve school library programs

• Include school librarians in state-funded professional development programs

• Enhance technology access and e-resources in school library programs

What Needs to Happen at the School Level?Title I

• Request to serve on your Title I committee (ESSA authorizes inclusion of “specialized instructional support personnel”)

• Provide data or evidence on how the library program helps Title I students (See AASL’s ESSA Update page)

• Title I plan should now include “how they will assist schools in developing effective school library programs to provide students an opportunity to develop digital literacy skills and improve academic achievement”

• Demonstrate digital and other e-resources can be used with Title I students (text-to-speech, language translation, Reading level indicators, etc.)

• Use ALA/AASL letter on implementing Title I

What Needs to Happen at the School Level?New Grant Program - LEARN

• To be implemented 2017-18; K-12; to update comprehensive literacy plans

• Request to serve on the grant committee (ESSA authorizes participation of school librarians)

• Authorizes, but does not require, that time be provided for “teachers and school librarians to meet, plan and collaborate on comprehensive literacy instruction”

• Must include professional development –Offer to provide PD for teachers by demonstrating digital and other e-resources that provide reading resources for teachers (finding Lexile levels, appropriate nonfiction, etc.)

• School librarians also eligible for PD – Attend library association trainings and other library-specific PD

What Needs to Happen at the School Level?Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL)

• To be implemented 2017-18; K-12; to promote literacy plans in low-income schools

• District must meet 20% poverty level as identified by DOE

• Request to serve on the grant committee and provide research and ideas

• ESSA specifically authorizes (does not require) funds to be used “for developing and enhancing effective school library programs, which includes providing professional development for school librarians, books, and up-to-date materials to high need schools”

• School library advocates will need to lobby for funding for this program to increase previous funding (was approx. $25M which only funded about 20 projects nationwide)

What Needs to Happen at the School Level?New Block Grant (Title IV, Part A)

• To be implemented 2017-18; funds go to the state (formula allocated on basis of poverty) and then state department of educations distribute to schools

• Authorizes, but does not require, providing programs and activities that increase access to personalized, rigorous learning experiences supported by technology, including adequate “access to school libraries.”

• Includes PD for teachers and librarians for technology integration

• Request to serve on grant committee or provide input - Required needs assessment should include access to school libraries (Maintain data and produce an Annual Report NOW!)

• Also request to serve on technology leadership committee as this committee is likely to have an increased role with these grant programs

OPTIONAL IDEA – “Opting Into Libraries”

• Congress recognized that too much

standardized testing occurs and is sapping

valuable instructional time and money to

maintain. ESSA lessens the requirements

and allows states to determine much of the

testing.

• There is significant parental push back

occurring and parents are “opting out” their

students from standardized testing.

• Most states allow parents the opt-out

provision.

My child is opted out of the PSSA testing, what will they do while their classmates are taking the PSSA's?

If the student is excused from the assessment due to parental or guardian request, school personnel must provide an alternative learning environment for the student during the assessment and select “Student had a parental request for exclusion from the assessment."     

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) on page 9 of the PSSA Handbook

OPTIONAL IDEA – “Opting Into

Libraries”

• Who do you think can provide “an alternative learning environment for the student?”

• What do you think your principal’s response would be?

NOTE: This is a Kachel idea, not endorsed by ALA/AASL

What We Need to do to Make the Case

• Educate state and local officials on how effective school library programs led by certified school librarians can improve their students’ academic achievement and enhance the performance of schools that offer these programs.

• Use the school library impact studies, like the Washington State research

• Use your local data (classes taught, student assessments, numbers of students using resources, etc.)

• Show what you are teaching that addresses academic standards

• Invite your district administration to your library

• What else can you do?

Bottom Line• After years of lobbying, ESSA includes language validating the importance of

school libraries and school librarians

• However, much of the language of ESSA “authorizes,” but does not require

• YOU will need to persist and insist that school librarians and school libraries are part of the programs emanating from ESSA

• YOU will need to educate building and district administrators on ESSA’s

implications for school library programs to improve student learning

• YOU will need to be proactive; don’t wait to be asked to the party!

Don’t miss your opportunity to make a difference.

ResourcesAASL. ESSA Update Page. Knowledge Quest.

ALA Washington Office. “Opportunities for School Librarians.”

Burns, Elizabeth. “Articulating an Impact on Student Learning.” Knowledge Quest Blog 3 Mar. 2016.

Colorado State Library. “Basic Provisions in ESSA for Libraries, Technology, and Digital Learning.” 4 Jan. 2016.

Council of Chief State School Officers. “FAQs Regarding Implementation of ESSA.” 16 Feb. 2016.

U.S. House of Representatives. Committee on Education and the Workforce. “ESEA Conference Report Summary” (basic overview, not library related)

U.S. Department of Education's ESSA web page

c2016 Kachel dkachel@antioch.edu