Support Certified Teacher-Librarians for All Washington Students!
Every student deserves access to a certified teacher-librarian, as these professionals provide invaluable support and guidance beyond the bookshelves in our school libraries.
Decades of research have consistently demonstrated the academic and social-emotional benefits of access to qualified teacher-librarians, including improved test scores and better college/career preparedness. Furthermore, funding for qualified teacher-librarians and library materials is explicitly outlined in Washington's prototypical funding model (RCW 28A.320.240), emphasizing the importance of these positions in our schools.
Despite the clear benefits of having certified teacher-librarians in our schools, Washington is ranked 32nd in the nation for the student-to-teacher-librarian ratio. Yet school library staffing has been declining for over a decade in Washington, with a significant drop of 10.5% in 2020 alone, followed by decreases of 31.3% in 2021 and 28.9% in 2022.
This trend disproportionately affects students from disadvantaged backgrounds, historically marginalized populations, and rural communities. Even in affluent areas like Bellevue, qualified teacher-librarians have been replaced with under-trained paraprofessionals, and many schools are only staffed part-time, limiting the impact of library programs on student achievement.
It's crucial that we prioritize improving school library staffing for all Washington students. Qualified teacher-librarians are credentialed educators with specific training in running high-quality school library programs. They curate collections, teach research and digital literacy, and foster curiosity through innovative programs, all while supporting teachers in instruction and technology integration.
Unfortunately, many districts in Washington exploit a loophole that allows them to remove school librarians and divert library funding for other purposes. This practice deprives our students of the numerous documented benefits of access to qualified teacher-librarians.
Please join us in asking our state representatives to support legislation that prioritizes funding for certified teacher-librarian positions and strengthens accountability measures to prevent the misuse of library funding.
We would also encourage you to investigate who runs the school library program in your district and inquire about their training and qualifications. Our students deserve access to the best possible educational resources and support, and certified teacher-librarians are indispensable to achieving this goal.
Support Certified Teacher-Librarians for All Washington Students!
Every student deserves access to a certified teacher-librarian, as these professionals provide invaluable support and guidance beyond the bookshelves in our school libraries.
Decades of research have consistently demonstrated the academic and social-emotional benefits of access to qualified teacher-librarians, including improved test scores and better college/career preparedness. Furthermore, funding for qualified teacher-librarians and library materials is explicitly outlined in Washington's prototypical funding model (RCW 28A.320.240), emphasizing the importance of these positions in our schools.
Despite the clear benefits of having certified teacher-librarians in our schools, Washington is ranked 32nd in the nation for the student-to-teacher-librarian ratio. Yet school library staffing has been declining for over a decade in Washington, with a significant drop of 10.5% in 2020 alone, followed by decreases of 31.3% in 2021 and 28.9% in 2022.
This trend disproportionately affects students from disadvantaged backgrounds, historically marginalized populations, and rural communities. Even in affluent areas like Bellevue, qualified teacher-librarians have been replaced with under-trained paraprofessionals, and many schools are only staffed part-time, limiting the impact of library programs on student achievement.
It's crucial that we prioritize improving school library staffing for all Washington students. Qualified teacher-librarians are credentialed educators with specific training in running high-quality school library programs. They curate collections, teach research and digital literacy, and foster curiosity through innovative programs, all while supporting teachers in instruction and technology integration.
Unfortunately, many districts in Washington exploit a loophole that allows them to remove school librarians and divert library funding for other purposes. This practice deprives our students of the numerous documented benefits of access to qualified teacher-librarians.
Please join us in asking our state representatives to support legislation that prioritizes funding for certified teacher-librarian positions and strengthens accountability measures to prevent the misuse of library funding.
We would also encourage you to investigate who runs the school library program in your district and inquire about their training and qualifications. Our students deserve access to the best possible educational resources and support, and certified teacher-librarians are indispensable to achieving this goal.