School Librarians and the Common Core: How They Can Help Teachers and Students Through the New Standards

The author addresses the critical role school libraries play in student academic achievement. He also addresses the role school librarians could play in successfully implementing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Historically being left out of education reforms such as No Child Left Behind in 2001, school media specialists now have the opportunity to shine and show off their unique skill set in curriculum design, information literacy, and research. In collaborating with teachers to carry out lesson plans focused on the CCSS, school librarians can teach students essential skills such as critical thinking, brainstorming, and writing/reading techniques. In discussing why school librarians are needed to complete the success puzzle, the author looks into various course curricula established at Masters of Library Science programs in the United States to trace the development of their skill set, trainings in literacy and research, and the impact these professionals make on a daily basis. The author also shows how school media specialists make a difference in promoting and teaching literacy in inner city schools, which are highly under resourced. Issues of socioeconomic context, inequality, and illiteracy among inner city students are addressed