Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 2560

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Changes the name of the School Library Media Program to the School Library Information and Technology Program.
Requires school boards to provide the resources and materials necessary for the proper education of students as provided in the prototypical school model.
Redefines teacher-librarians as certificated teachers, rather than as certified teachers, and requires them to collaborate with their schools in accomplishing certain goals.

Background:

School Library Media Programs and teacher-librarians must support student mastery of a variety of academic learning requirements. Teacher-librarians, who are defined as certified teachers with a library media endorsement, partner with other teachers to help students meet the content goals in all subject areas. Teacher-librarians also help high school students complete a required culminating project and High School and Beyond Plan.

School board directors must provide for the operation and stocking of school libraries as the board deems necessary for the proper education of the district's students, or as required by law or rule.

Funding is provided to school districts by the state to support a minimum instructional program of basic education. The distribution formula under the prototypical school model includes allocations for teacher librarians; technology support services; and materials, supplies and operating costs necessary for technology and library functions. Unless otherwise specified, school districts are not required to use the allocated funds in any particular way, including to pay for particular types of staff or materials.

Summary of Bill:

The name of the school library media program is changed to the school library information and technology program. These programs are required to provide a broad, flexible array of services, resources, instruction, and support within the context of all current educational standards adopted by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

School boards must provide the resources and materials for school libraries necessary for the proper education of the district's students as provided in the prototypical school model, or as required by law or rule, rather than merely as the board deems necessary.

Teacher-librarian is defined as a certificated teacher, rather than a certified teacher. Teacher librarians are required to collaborate with their schools to:

integrate information and technology into curriculum and instruction;
provide information management instruction to students and staff regarding effective use of emerging learning technologies and the appropriate use of technology in an educational setting;

help teachers and students efficiently, effectively, and ethically access and use the highest quality information available;

instruct students in how to be critical information consumers and how to thoughtfully and strategically use online resources; and

create a culture of reading in the school community.