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Take Action Now

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Take Action Now to Support the Inclusion of School Library Programs in NJQSAC!

Deadline for comments – December 4, 2009

On October 21, the State Board of Education reviewed and approved a request from NJASL to amend the state’s regulations for the N.J.A.C. 6A:30 Evaluation and Performance of School Districts (QSAC). The change in the monitoring regulations advanced by NJASL aims to provide some measure of accountability to encourage school districts to comply with N.J.A.C. 6A:13-2.1(h) which requires districts to provided certain school library media services under the direction of a certified School Library Media Specialist.

Specifically, QSAC will be amended to include new language in the Regular District Performance Review (DPR) for Instruction and Program, Section C. Instruction Indicator #8 as part of the state’s monitoring process. The amended language is as follows:

“The district requires and verifies that teachers and other instructional staff effectively use school library resources and technology to support learning, increase productivity and create products across all NJCCCS areas.”

Also, the required documentation local school districts must present in order to meet Indicator #8 will be amended to include K-12 Library Skills/Information Literacy/Library Media Curriculum. (NJASL’s recommended additions are in bold and italics.)

NJASL believes that the proposed amendments will shine a light on the importance of school library media services in achieving the Core Curriculum Content Standards and it will help local school districts take an important new step towards continuous improvement.

The comment period is open and members can submit letters supporting the change advanced by NJASL by December 4, 2009 to:

Ms. Donna Arons, Special Assistant to the Commissioner

New Jersey Department of Education

River View Executive Plaza

Building 100, P.O. Box 500

Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0500