Note – In addition to the recommendations listed all key assessments, program syllabi and curriculum are being revised to reflection the 2010 AASL Standards for the Initial Preparation of School Library Media Specialists. Key Assessment Actions 1. Digital Portfolio Candidates will be encouraged to utilize web 2.0 tools in developing their portfolios. Candidates will also be encouraged to secure a proofreader to check through all navigation points in the portfolio 2. Collection and Development Policy The assessment instrument has been changed and piloted in the fall 2011 semester to reflect the collection and evaluation of digital resources. Formative assessment and revision of the instrument will continue through 2012. 3. Facilities Plan Assignment It has been suggested that more differentiation occur in the scoring of group work. 4. Practicum Evaluation No changes are recommended based on the analysis of data. 5. Unit of Instruction: Modified ISD/Pebbles Project In the most recent implementation of the Unit of Instruction assessment, candidates were presented with 4 model projects that exemplified the collaborative role of the school Library Media Specialist. Continued emphasis will be placed on the collaborative role of the school Library Media Specialist; additional model projects will be presented, shared, and discussed. Instruction will be focused on the appropriate use of APA style. 6. Information Literacy Model The scores on the Audience Comprehension and Analysis category appear to be an anomaly in comparison to data for the same assessment over the past three years. Given the relatively small sample of data for this report, more data is needed from future administrations of the assessment before making recommendations. 7. Literature Project: Text Set During a summer 2011 school library media faculty meeting to discuss the data, school library media faculty clarified the wording of the assessment document based on the recommendation of the instructors.
6. Information Literacy Model In one implementation of the assessment 8/8 (100%) of the candidates earned scores in the acceptable or target ranges. Score for the Curriculum Alignment dimension were lower than scores for the other assessment dimensions. This may be attributable to modifications to the Maryland State Curriculum , and local school systems curriculum which are in the process of realignment with the Common Core curriculum. With a greater sample size, more differentiation in rubric scores will be anticipated. 8. MARC Assignment/LOC Field Trip In one implementation of the Part I of the assessment 6/6 (100%) of the candidates earned scores in the acceptable or target ranges. In one implementations of the Part II of the assessment 6/6 (100%) of the candidates earned scores in the acceptable or target ranges. Candidate’s scores for the MARC 245, 3XX, 4XX, and 8XX fields were low in comparison to recent r implementations of the assessment, candidates have scored at the on average at the target levels. This was the last implementation of this assessment which has been replaced by a new assessment #8 titled, Pathfinder. No specific actions recommended other than the formative assessment of the new Assessment # 8 – Pathfinder. AY13: Have the change(s) in response to data that you documented last year had the desired effect on your program? Please provide specifics referencing prior changes that you submitted in Fall 2012, covering AY 2011-2012.
comparison to 2011-2012, program faculty would like all candidates to master APA style. A need for better access to an internal campus based library catalog and collection management system specific to preK-12. One faculty member has volunteered to contact vendors associated with local school systems to investigate obtaining Collection Management Software and a simulated digital collection. The transition to the 2010 AASL Standards for the Initial Preparation of School Librarians has increased the amount of writing (from 13 to 20 standards-based reflections) candidates must complete for their Digital Portfolio. Candidates will be provided the option of combining respective sub-standards into one piece of reflection writing (e.g. sub-standards 1.1-1.4) could be addressed in one piece of reflective writing. A need for stipends to compensate partners in local school systems for making guest appearances, and collaborating in a variety of courses. Funding sources are currently limited. The school library media program director will consult with College of Education administrators to explore potential finding sources for compensating guest speakers and collaborative partners. A need to remove one criterion from key assessment #3, The Facilities Plan. This criterion is labeled relocation and moving plans. This criterion is generally not under the purview of the local school library media specialist. The criterion will be removed from the assessment document and corresponding rubrics. Off campus teaching locations for cohort courses are frequently not approved by local school systems until less than two weeks before the start of respective courses. Improving communication between the Towson Learning Network and local school systems in confirming off campus sites is recommended. The school library media program director has been in communication with the Educational Technology and Literacy Department Chair and the Directors of the Towson Learning Network. Efforts have been initiated by the Towson Learning Network Directors to improve the process of securing off campus resources among local partnering school systems. Moving the data collection for the full design and implementation of the Unit of Instruction (assessment #5) from the ISTC 667 (Instructional Design and Development) course to ISTC 789 (Practicum and Portfolio) so that the design and implementation of the Unit of Instruction are completed in a concurrent semester. The instructional design process will continue to be taught in ISTC 667 (Instructional Design and Development). Data collection for the design and implementation of The Unit of Instruction (key assessment #5) will be to ISTC 789 (Practicum and Portfolio in School Library Media).