Definitions+for+inquiry+question

=**﻿Definitions for inquiry question **= =**//Does having a qualified TL at an inner city school impact student learning? //**=

What defines a qualified teacher-librarian (TL)?

According to School District #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith, a qualified teacher-librarian must have a diploma in school librarianship or equivalent and must have a minimum of two years successful classroom teaching experience. (SD 68 policy 7160P p. 7)

The Canadian Association for School Libraries (CASL) defines a qualified teacher-librarian as follows:

" A professional teacher with a minimum of two years successful classroom experience and additional qualifications in the selection, management and utilization of learning resources, who manages the school library and works with the other teachers to design and implement resource-based instructional programs." (CASL 1997)

The Australian Library and Information Association (ASLA) has a similar definition to CASL but also includes the following:

"Within the broad fields of education and librarianship, teacher librarians are uniquely qualified. This is valuable because curriculum knowledge and pedagogy are combined with library and information management knowledge and skills. (ASLA 2009)

What defines an inner city school?

Inner city schools serve students who are most vulnerable. Chair of the Vancouver School Board inner city teachers sector, Sam Fillipoff, defines inner city schools as "places where the most vulnerable children in our society receive their education." (Fillipoff 2001) In //Every Kid Counts//, principal Noel Herron describes inner city schools as schools with "blatant inequities ranging from hungry kids, bleak playgrounds, inadequate resources, and grinding poverty, to disenfranchised parents." (Herron 2001)

The Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District defines an inner city school through vulnerability as determined by the Ministry of Child and Family Development Vulnerability Index, which includes low income measures, involvement with social services and other agencies, community socio-economic demographics and community." (Community Link 2010 grant application) The BC Ministry of Education defines vulnerable students as "those students who may be at risk in terms of academic achievement and social functioning. These students primarily come from less affluent socio-economic backgrounds." (BC Ministry of Education 2006)

How is impact on student learning defined?

The goal of this inquiry process is to determine impact through a variety of ongoing assessment including diagnostic, formative and summative assessments. Through teacher librarian involvement of curricular programming, collaboration, resource building, teaching of 21st century information skills and increased access to the library, our goal is for students to improve their student learning and achievement as determined by a variety of assessment tools. Using the //Indicators of learning as applied by librarians// (Kuhlthau, Maniotes & Caspari 2007 p. 115) would ensure coverage of these assessments of learning including casual observations, student performance and products and tests. (Kuhlthau et al. 2007 p. 115)

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