[ISLMA-Share] ESSA Listening Tour: Chicago

[Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association]

Thank you Megan and Sara for representing us! I appreciate your time and
inspiration.

Neha Thakkar
Library Media Specialist
Mrsthakkar2014 at gmail.com

On Wednesday, September 28, 2016, Email list for the Illinois School
Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> Good morning.
>
> Last night's listening tour stop at Simeon High School in Chicago was
> crowded and long, with approximately 25 speakers--from parents groups;
> community-based organizations; multi-lingual/multi-cultural organizations;
> arts organizations; teacher training programs; Chicago Public Schools and
> Chicago Teachers Union.
>
> Sara Sayigh and I were the only librarians to speak. One additional
> librarian from CPS came to observe but did not speak.
>
> Major themes for the evening were: lack of resources; concerns about
> accountability measures; teacher training; language supports; testing;
> civics education; arts in schools; charters; and, of course, libraries.
>
> I spoke on behalf of ALA and touched on a few points:
>
> -I provided AASL's definition of an "effective school library program."
> -I asked that they not consider accountability indicators without first
> ensuring that students had the essential resources needed to succeed,
> including a school library program, noting that ESSA provides an
> opportunity to re-prioritize federal and state funding. I mentioned
> research, including the Illinois study.
> -I requested that librarians be included in consideration for Title IV
> funding as they provide equitable access to resources for all students in a
> building, build digital literacy skills, etc.
> -I mentioned that librarians should not only be included in Title II
> funding plans, but can also help the state and districts increase funding
> opportunities through Title IIB grant opportunities.
>
> Sara Sayigh spoke on behalf of Chi School Librarians and her remarks
> focused on her experiences being dismissed and reinstated after a student
> protest; educating the whole child; and allocation of resources.
>
> Megan Cusick
>
>
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-- 
Thanks,
Neha Thakkar
Sent from my iPhone, please excuse typos.
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