HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5294

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 Substitute Bill

Changes the name of School Library Media Programs to School Library Information and Technology Programs.
Outlines ways teacher-librarians may collaborate with their schools to accomplish certain goals.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 20 members: Representatives Santos, Chair; Ortiz-Self, Vice Chair; Reykdal, Vice Chair; Magendanz, Ranking Minority Member; Muri, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Stambaugh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Caldier, Fagan, Gregory, Griffey, Hargrove, Hayes, Kilduff, Klippert, Lytton, McCaslin, Orwall, Pollet and Springer.

Background:

In 2011 the Basic Education Act was amended to add technology literacy as a goal for all school districts. Each school district has the goal for students to integrate technology literacy and fluency, to form reasoned judgments, and solve problems. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction develops and oversees the assessment of the learning standards for technology literacy and fluency. School districts' boards of directors must provide for the operation and stocking of school libraries as the boards deem necessary for the proper education of districts' students or as required by law or rule. Through school library programs, teacher-librarians are required to help all students meet content goals in all subject areas and to assist high school students in completing graduation requirements.

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, necessary materials, necessary supplies, and necessary operating costs. 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 School Library Media Programs is changed to School Library Information and Technology Programs (LIT). The definition of a LIT is changed, from a program that provides a variety of resources, to a program that provides a broad and flexible array of services, resources, instruction, and additionally supports mastery of state standards in all subject areas. School districts' boards of directors must provide for the resources and materials (as opposed to the operation and stocking) of school libraries as the boards deem necessary for the proper education of the districts' students or as required by law or rule.

The teacher-librarian's duties may include, but are not limited to, collaborating with his or her 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 access and ethically use information;
instruct students in digital citizenship; and
create a culture of reading in the school community.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Over the years, libraries have changed. Libraries now disseminate information, teach technology, and use technology. The Legislature needs to recognize the value of school librarians, which can be done by expanding the name of the program to LIT. The roles of the teacher-librarians include centralization of resources, access to technology, and enhancing the learning that happens throughout the school. Teacher-librarians meet with other teacher-librarians to determine how they can support the other teachers by creating assessments modeled after the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium tests, and to determine summer professional development. They learn about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and licensing laws to ensure that they and students are not violating copyrights. Teacher-librarians help students research various topics. They start literary magazines and help students edit articles. They co-teach with teachers on citations. They work with others on how to support implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards, CCSS, and other state standards. Teacher-librarians teach reading advocacy, technology literacy, and other skills. This bill updates the definition of the teacher-librarian and highlights the teacher-librarian's role in standards. This bill has been in progress for a few years.

(Opposed) None.