School Library Systems – Advocacy Toolkit

Strategies for Teachers

The New York State Learning Standards have propelled classroom teachers across the state into new curricular initiatives, new expectations for learners, and new collaborative partnerships. The reform Core Curriculum and resource Guides, in every academic discipline, detail learner outcomes and competencies that must be addressed. A unified vision is clearly conveyed. Literacy reaches out its roots to gather thematic collections from regional libraries, special tools for young investigators exploring the world around them, and every conceivable manifestation of language for growing minds. Learners at every grade level solve problems, draw conclusions, analyze texts, and THINK.

The graduates of New York’s schools must now demonstrate competencies in:

information problem solving
critical thinking
understanding of overarching ideas
use of data to draw conclusions
successful access of quality information sources
analysis and evaluation of that information
synthesis of information
and communication of that information to meaningful audiences.

A vision evolves of active learners succeeding in information environments, using technological research options, exploring all sides of arguments, supporting a thesis, and mastering information literacy.

Teacher ADVOCATES can testify to real world value of SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS for learners and educators!

TEACHERS can:
INFORM, MOTIVATE, DOCUMENT, SHARE.

Teacher ADVOCATES: contribute to SLS INFORMATION POWERFUL Projects Made Possible Database! What did you accomplish with SLS assistance that you could not have done otherwise?
E-mail School Library Systems Advocacy @-------- and enter the subject PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE.
Describe your SLS supported learning experience.
Write, call, e-mail your assemblyman, state senator, governor, school administrators TODAY.
See the MATRIX for ACTION - WHO, WHAT, WHEN to find names and addresses.
See SAMPLE TEACHER LETTER.
Print a TEACHER TESTIMONY FORM from this site and give it to your school library media specialist. Document your success with learners because of broad and deep access to information resources, including interlibrary loan options. Your SLMS will SHARE this via the School Library System with the NYS Legislature.

IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES and CLASSROOMS TODAY:

Teachers move beyond the text.
Teachers move beyond the classroom.
Teachers incorporate literacy experiences that are built on BIG IDEAS, thematic concepts, resources that create understanding.
Teachers create new assessments and new learning experiences.
Teachers expect quality information use and analysis.
Teachers raise the standards, develop thinking.
Teachers find collaborative partners like school library media specialists to assist in planning and implementation of resource based units.
Teachers engage learners with technology in research and in presentations, increasing meaning for the learner.
Teachers frame activities that demand database access, thorough and in depth analysis, multiple sources from more than one library, and real world connections.

Why TEACHERS need to ADVOCATE for School Library Systems:

*Did you know that the NYS ELA Learning Standards call for elementary students to master the synthesis of at least three information resources. By middle school synthesis of five or more information resources from multiple libraries is a benchmark. Commencement level competency in accessing and using information tools includes synthesis of up to ten information resources from up to three libraries. S.E.D. knows that regional sharing is the KEY!

To insure a resource base that is comprehensive, broad in scope, rigorous, reflecting multiple points of view, and accessible. SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS do that!
To guarantee that successful learning experiences can be supported through regional resource sharing, empowering every student with the information he or she needs. SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS do that!
To enable every teacher in New York to develop learning experiences of any dimension and context.
To enhance student achievement by incorporating information literacy in every curricular area.
To prove the POWER of resource based learning to those who do not understand its value.
To bring forward meaningful, specific examples of PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE by School Library Systems!
To maintain a real world connection to electronic and print resources for all learners.
To meet New York State Learning standards.
To put INFORMATION POWER to work!

Advocacy Matrix – WHO, WHAT, WHEN

WHO
- New York State Senators – Find yours by zip code. Addresses, phone numbers, E-mail addresses!
- New York State Senate – Find by name of senator
- New York State Assemblymen – Find yours by zip code or by name, addresses, phone numbers, E-mail addresses!
- Senate Majority Leader – Joseph Bruno
- Assembly Majority Leader – Sheldon Silver
- Find your assemblyman in New York City
- Find your senator in New York City
- Find your representatives in Long Island
- Governor Paterson – Address, E-mail link at the Office of the Governor
  - Mailing address:
    Governor David Paterson
    State Capitol
    Albany, New York 12224
- Track legislation, status and progress of legislation
- School Administrators
- Local business leaders in the learning community who would support information literacy. Don’t forget that the NYS Business Council was a major contributor to the initial Learning Standards reform.
- Parent Teacher Association leaders.
- Organizations within the school that promote quality learning opportunities.

WHAT
- Letters, personal, anecdotal, sincere
- E-mail
- Phone calls
- Sample projects
- Testimony from teachers, learners that is genuine, immediate, specific and REAL
- Personal messages if access to key decision makers is possible

WHEN
- From September to January - focus on the Governor's office, Governor Paterson
- From January on - focus on the legislature, assemblymen, senators
- During the budget developing period from November through March
- When a Call for Action is presented!
- At public meetings when others are listening who might advocate as well
- When a student, teacher, School Library Media Specialist succeeds because of SLS service
- ANYTIME!


	School Library Systems - Advocacy Toolkit “It is not enough to care. You must act.” “In the budget equation, remember all learners.”


ALERT - Be part of the Sunflower Avalanche! ADVOCATE NOW! Sunflower Action Plan for School Library Systems 2008 ADVOCACY - Getting the ACTION started Introduction What are the Issues? Budget Hearing on Elementary and Secondary Education Contact NY Decision Makers How can I frame my message? School Libraries Do Make a Difference to KIDS Outcomes 21st Century Skills, the Workforce and School Libraries System Director's Legislative Visits Resources Brochures & Flyers Strategies Testimony Forms & Samples Advocacy Links AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner Survey Results of School Libraries Count!		Strategies for Teachers The New York State Learning Standards have propelled classroom teachers across the state into new curricular initiatives, new expectations for learners, and new collaborative partnerships. The reform Core Curriculum and resource Guides, in every academic discipline, detail learner outcomes and competencies that must be addressed. A unified vision is clearly conveyed. Literacy reaches out its roots to gather thematic collections from regional libraries, special tools for young investigators exploring the world around them, and every conceivable manifestation of language for growing minds. Learners at every grade level solve problems, draw conclusions, analyze texts, and THINK. The graduates of New York’s schools must now demonstrate competencies in: information problem solving critical thinking understanding of overarching ideas use of data to draw conclusions successful access of quality information sources analysis and evaluation of that information synthesis of information and communication of that information to meaningful audiences. A vision evolves of active learners succeeding in information environments, using technological research options, exploring all sides of arguments, supporting a thesis, and mastering information literacy. *Teacher ADVOCATES can testify to real world value of SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS for learners and educators!* TEACHERS can: INFORM, MOTIVATE, DOCUMENT, SHARE. Teacher ADVOCATES: contribute to SLS INFORMATION POWERFUL Projects Made Possible Database! What did you accomplish with SLS assistance that you could not have done otherwise? E-mail School Library Systems Advocacy @-------- and enter the subject PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE. Describe your SLS supported learning experience. Write, call, e-mail your assemblyman, state senator, governor, school administrators TODAY. See the MATRIX for ACTION - WHO, WHAT, WHEN to find names and addresses. See SAMPLE TEACHER LETTER. Print a TEACHER TESTIMONY FORM from this site and give it to your school library media specialist. Document your success with learners because of broad and deep access to information resources, including interlibrary loan options. Your SLMS will SHARE this via the School Library System with the NYS Legislature. IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES and CLASSROOMS TODAY: Teachers move beyond the text. Teachers move beyond the classroom. Teachers incorporate literacy experiences that are built on BIG IDEAS, thematic concepts, resources that create understanding. Teachers create new assessments and new learning experiences. Teachers expect quality information use and analysis. Teachers raise the standards, develop thinking. Teachers find collaborative partners like school library media specialists to assist in planning and implementation of resource based units. Teachers engage learners with technology in research and in presentations, increasing meaning for the learner. Teachers frame activities that demand database access, thorough and in depth analysis, multiple sources from more than one library, and real world connections. Why TEACHERS need to ADVOCATE for School Library Systems: Did you know that the NYS ELA Learning Standards call for elementary students to master the synthesis of at least three information resources. By middle school synthesis of five or more information resources from multiple libraries is a benchmark. Commencement level competency in accessing and using information tools includes synthesis of up to ten information resources from up to three libraries. S.E.D. knows that regional sharing is the KEY! To insure a resource base that is comprehensive, broad in scope, rigorous, reflecting multiple points of view, and accessible. SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS do that! To guarantee that successful learning experiences can be supported through regional resource sharing, empowering every student with the information he or she needs. SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS do that! To enable every teacher in New York to develop learning experiences of any dimension and context. To enhance student achievement by incorporating information literacy in every curricular area. To prove the POWER of resource based learning to those who do not understand its value. To bring forward meaningful, specific examples of PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE by School Library Systems! To maintain a real world connection to electronic and print resources for all learners. To meet New York State Learning standards. To put INFORMATION POWER to work! Advocacy Matrix – WHO, WHAT, WHEN WHO* New York State Senators – Find yours by zip code. Addresses, phone numbers, E-mail addresses! New York State Senate – Find by name of senator New York State Assemblymen – Find yours by zip code or by name, addresses, phone numbers, E-mail addresses! Senate Majority Leader – Joseph Bruno Assembly Majority Leader – Sheldon Silver Find your assemblyman in New York City Find your senator in New York City Find your representatives in Long Island Governor Paterson – Address, E-mail link at the Office of the Governor Mailing address: Governor David Paterson State Capitol Albany, New York 12224 Track legislation, status and progress of legislation School Administrators Local business leaders in the learning community who would support information literacy. Don’t forget that the NYS Business Council was a major contributor to the initial Learning Standards reform. Parent Teacher Association leaders. Organizations within the school that promote quality learning opportunities. WHAT Letters, personal, anecdotal, sincere E-mail Phone calls Sample projects Testimony from teachers, learners that is genuine, immediate, specific and REAL Personal messages if access to key decision makers is possible WHEN From September to January - focus on the Governor's office, Governor Paterson From January on - focus on the legislature, assemblymen, senators During the budget developing period from November through March When a Call for Action is presented! At public meetings when others are listening who might advocate as well When a student, teacher, School Library Media Specialist succeeds because of SLS service ANYTIME!

Home \| Sitemap