BOARDWATCH '...The loss of school librarians is especially alarming in CPS high schools, where there are now only 38 high schools with librarians...' Librarians continue challenge to Chicago Public Schools obliteration of school libraries
[Editor's Note: Once again, Substance's BOARDWATCH feature is publishing the remarks prepared and delivered by the speakers at the monthly meeting of the Chicago Board of Education. The meeting of November 19, 2014 saw more than 500 people present for the meeting in the auditorium at Westinghouse High School, with 60 people signed up to speak. The following material was prepared by Nora Wiltse and provided to Substance by her. George N. Schmidt, Editor, Substance].
Chicago Public Schools librarian Nora Wiltse speaking to the Board at its November 19, 2014 meeting. Substance photo by Nate Goldbaum.Hello. My name is Nora Wiltse and I�m a National Board Certified school librarian working in CPS elementary schools for the last 12 years. I spoke to this board in June about the rapid loss of school librarians in CPS. I would like to update you on our progress since June, and my fellow librarian Megan Cusick has our recommendations for moving forward together. First, thank you Dr. Byrd-Bennett for meeting with our group in August. It was clear from our conversation that you agree that our students benefit from having a school librarian. We also appreciate that you see the difference between a �room with some books� and a true school library program with a certified librarian.
Since June, we have been busy meeting with the LSC Advisory Board, the budget office, the talent office, parent groups, universities and professional associations.
We spent time examining the 2015 CPS budget, tracking which schools lost school librarians, including a majority of all �receiving� schools. Through our research, we are able to see that the problem is again worse this school year and heading in the wrong direction. The loss of school librarians is especially alarming in CPS high schools, where there are now only 38 high schools with librarians.
In a 2005 Illinois study by Keith Curry Lance, it was found that �Illinois school libraries contribute measurably to the academic achievement of students... At all grade levels, test scores tend to be higher? where school libraries are staffed more fully.� The correlation to higher student achievement remained even when variables such as household income, race/ethnicity, per pupil spending and teacher-pupil ratios were accounted for. �In short, the findings of this study support the belief that powerful libraries�and librarians�do, indeed, make powerful learners.�
Isn�t this what we all want for our Chicago students? Putting the blame fully on state funding levels or on principal autonomy does not help fix this problem. We need you- our BOE- to step up and return librarians to our schools.
By: Bob Busch
November, and the attack on libraries
I hate November. My dad died in November, so did my Aunt. I was thinking about her this afternoon when it hit me. Simeon student Ben Wilson got shot thirty years ago today, November 20 1984, another reason to hate this month. He died in the wee hours of November 21st. If I feel up to it tomorrow, i will write a little bit about that that day and what it meant.