Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) #essalibraries

This past week I attended ALA’s annual conference in Orlando.  If you have ever attended an annual conference, you know that the biggest dilemma you will face is choosing which sessions to attend.  When I miss a session [because I attended another equally important session] I immediately log on to Twitter to get the scoop on the session that I missed.  A session I attended was a pre-conference sponsored by  AASL’s Independent Schools Sessions.  Each conference the ISS section tours local school libraries, and it is always a highlight of my conference experience.  However, while attending this important pre-conference, I missed the session “Unpacking ESSA for the Library Eco-System.” Some may believe the signing of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) does not directly effect academic, public, or independent school libraries, but as Audrey Church tweeted “A child who’s experienced 12 years of effective school library programs is ready for higher learning!” @EmilySheketoff #essalibraries @aasl

As an independent school librarian who welcomes many children from effective public school K-12 library programs, I am grateful for their school librarians and I am extremely pleased about the signing of ESSA!  Furthermore, it is the responsibility of all librarians to advocate for strong school library programs.

ALA Washington Office Executive Director Emily Sheketoff

Things I learned about ESSA from Twitter posts

• We owe much to our executive director in ALA’s Washington Office, Emily Sheketoff
• The White House Administration needs our ideas and stories about school libraries
• We must practice self-advocacy with our principals and superintendents
• And finally  – “Love doesn’t buy books,  Show me the money!” – Emily Sheketoff

I have decided in this post, to “curate” ESSA tweets from friends on Twitter who attended the ESSA conference session that I missed.

It is up to us! @EmilySheketoff says WE must tell superintendent, principal, etc. what effective school library programs do! #essalibraries

— Audrey Church (@churchap3) June 24, 2016

 

Love doesn’t pay the bills. @emilysheketoff #essalibraries

— Calypso Gilstrap (@calypsogilstrap) June 24, 2016

 

Nothing better than a good story except a good story w strong supporting data. #essalibraries #txasl

— Dorcas Hand (@handdtx) June 24, 2016

 

Love doesn’t buy books or tech – Show me the money! @EmilySheketoff #leadoutloud #alaac16 #essalibraries

— Melissa Jacobs (@missyji) June 24, 2016

 

“Show me the money” says @EmilySheketoff to legislators regarding #essalibraries #alaac16

— RoccoA (@RoccoA) June 24, 2016

 

Emily Sheketoff: Obama Admin. needs ideas and stories about school libraries as they write guidance for ESSA. #essalibraries#alaac16

— Mark Smith (@TSLAC_Director) June 24, 2016

 

Higher Ed needs strong K12 school libraries. Thanks @ALA_ACRL Pres Ann Campion Riley for believing in ESSA with us! #alaac16 #essalibraries

— Steven Yates (@HeyLibraraman) June 24, 2016

 

Stay informed on #essalibraries at the @aasl essa landing page – updated frequently https://t.co/zq3ruMGjw2

— lesliepreddy (@lesliepreddy) June 24, 2016

Author: Hannah Byrd Little

Hello, I am the Library Director at The Webb School of Bell Buckle. I use my past experience in college and university libraries to help my current students in school libraries transition into college, career, and life. I am currently the lead Senior Class Adviser for the Capstone Project. I also served at the state level with the Tennessee Association of School Librarians executive board from 2009-2013 and was the TASL president in 2012. I am certified as a Library Information Specialist for PreK-12th grade, have a BS in Communications with a concentration in Advertising and Public Relations, a BS in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Education and Information Systems and a Masters in Library and Information Science.

Twitter Facebook

Categories: Advocacy/Leadership, Blog Topics

Tags: advocacy, ALA annual conference 2016, ESSA, Twitter