September 2017 Committee on Instruction Item 4

Discussion of Library Standards

September 14, 2017

COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the committee to discuss the proposed revisions to the School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas developed by a joint committee appointed by the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC).

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §33.021.

TEC, §33.021, requires the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, in consultation with the State Board of Education, to adopt standards for school library services.

BOARD RESPONSE: This item is presented for review and comment.

PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The SBOE considered the revised School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas at their September 2004 meeting. The standards were revised and adopted by TSLAC on May 16, 2005, and are filed under 13 TAC Chapter 4, School Library Programs, Subchapter A, Standards and Guidelines.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: School library program standards were first adopted in 1994. On March 19, 2004, TSLAC approved the revised School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas. In February 2015, the SBOE Committee on Instruction discussed the upcoming review and revision of the school library programs standards.

In 2016-2017, the standards were revised by a statewide committee composed of building-level librarians, school board members, teachers, university and regional education service center librarians, members of the public sector, and TSLAC staff. The purpose of the revision is to align school library program standards and guidelines with the Texas Education Code, the Texas Administrative Code, and national standards for school library programs and to provide tools to assess and improve school library programs across Texas.

At this time, TSLAC wishes to submit the proposed revised School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas to the SBOE Committee on Instruction.

PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Student achievement is a primary objective of school library programs. Revisions to current school library program standards and guidelines allow TSLAC an opportunity to ensure alignment with current policies, programs, and technology.

Staff Members Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner
Standards and Support Services

Kerry Ballast, Director, Digital Learning

Attachment:
Statutory Citations (PDF, 13KB)
 
Separate Exhibit:
Proposed Revised Library Program Standards