Tool for Using Test Data

Concern: Evaluation of school librarians is increasingly being tied to student test scores; for example, in Tennessee, 50% of all professional evaluations will be directly tied to student achievement data beginning in 2011-2012. This will effect decisions in tenure, pay raises, job retention, etc. Librarians need a tool to help in desegregating and using test data to make a connection between their library programs and student achievement.

Action: The concern was approved by the Affiliate Assembly Executive Committee and forwarded to the Assembly for review where it was combined with a concern from Region 2. The Affiliate Assembly body approved sending the revised concern to the AASL Board.

Revised Concern: Many states are investigating merit based pay for teachers based on performance evaluations and student achievement data. We are concerned that librarians are not adequately represented in these discussions.

Action: The AASL Board responded that this is an issue best handled on a state-by-state basis since each state's requirements are different. Members are encouraged to work with their state departments of education. Resources are available:

• The 2009 Fall Forum focused on assessment
• Knowledge Quest articles
• Empowering Learners, the AASL learning standards/Common Core Crosswalk, and the AASL lesson plan database.
• TRAILS: Tools for Real-time Assessment of Information Literacy Skills