Three additional states have added their voice to the call for school librarian participation in the development of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) state implementation plans. School librarians and educational stakeholders in Utah, Washington, and Minnesota attended workshops on Oct. 12-13 highlighting the intersections between ESSA provisions and effective school library programs.
Said Craig Seasholes, WLA School Library Division interim chair, “Despite blustery weather, the AASL ESSA session was well received and perfectly targeted to librarians in Washington State as we fast-track our response to our state’s draft implementation plan. Given the once-in-a-decade opportunity that ESSA provides, now is the time for school librarian engagement in advocacy.”
Presented by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) in collaboration with the ALA Office for Library Advocacy and the ALA Washington Office, the complimentary workshops include the most current information on developments at the Federal level and work through the titles in ESSA that can be directly linked to the school librarian and school library program.
“The AASL workshop on ESSA provided our organization with important information and inspired us to intensify our advocacy efforts to get libraries included in the ESSA state plan,” said Dawn French, Information and Technology Educators of Minnesota co-president.
Presented through collaboration with AASL state affiliates, AASL estimates the ESSA workshops will reach 1,500 stakeholders nation-wide. Participating state school library associations can be found at essa.aasl.org. The AASL ESSA workshops are made possible through matching funds provided by Follett School Solutions.
Jennifer Habley
Manager, Web Communications
American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
312-280-4383
jhabley@ala.org
Author: Jen Habley
Jen Habley is the AASL Manager of Web Communications. She manages the AASL websites, writes press releases, coordinates AASL’s online learning opportunities, and oversees AASL’s web 2.0 tools. When not working, Jen spends time researching her family tree, reading, and watching hockey.
Categories: Association News, ESSA Updates, News
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