Massachusetts School Library Study:
Equity and Access for Students in the Commonwealth
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To read the entire Massachutts School Library Study (2018) by Dr. Carol A. Gordon, EdD and Robin Cichetti, EdD go the the Salem State University Library Massachusetts School Library Research Project page. This libguide page also contains valuable resources for advocacy, background information of study, and many resources for everyday advocacy of your school library. 
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History and background of the Massachusetts School Library Study
Posted by Judi Paradis on the MSLA Listserv (2018)
The Special Commission on School Library Services in Massachusetts submitted its final report to the Legislature this month. Kendall Boninti and Judi Paradis served on this Commission representing MSLA. The report of the Commission includes key findings regarding equity and access issues in the Commonwealth’s school libraries. The Commission provided legislators with a series of recommendations for improving equity in Massachusetts public schools, and provided a comprehensive plan and timeline for their implementation. In a letter to the Massachusetts Legislature, the Commissioners urged legislators to accept their recommendations and work with DESE to ensure their implementation.
The Commission, which included legislators, members of the library and educational communities, and community members, contacted two respected researchers to conduct a comprehensive academic study to evaluate school library programs for equity using a series of data points specified in legislation passed by the Massachusetts Senate in 2013 (Bill S.1906). The leading researcher, Dr. Carol A. Gordon, is a retired Associate Professor in the Department of Library and Information Science at Rutgers University where she served as the Co-Director of the Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries (CISSL). She was assisted by Dr. Robin Cicchetti, Head Librarian at Concord-Carlisle Regional High School. The study was distributed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and data analysis assistance was provided by CISSL.
The Massachusetts School Library Study: Equity and Access for Students in the Commonwealth provides a report of the research conducted by Drs. Gordon and Cicchetti along with five broad recommendations that as goals for a long-term plan. The complete report is available on the website of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and you can find it here. Analysis of the data and the resulting findings show there are statistically significant differences in measures of status and equity for students from urban and rural districts compared with students from suburban districts. Based on these findings, the Commission recommends:
Recommendation 1.0. Improve Access to School Libraries and School Librarians
Recommendation 2A.. Increase access to print resources in school libraries.
Recommendation 3A. Improve access to internet and digital devices in school libraries.
Funding cuts across all the dimensions of school librarianship. Guidelines for Budget Allocation and Expenditure should be developed to support Recommendations 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0.
The Commission thanks MSLA for providing support for this important work. We look forward to seeing our recommendations adopted to improve school library programs for all Massachusetts public school students.
Posted by Judi Paradis on the MSLA Listserv (2018)
The Special Commission on School Library Services in Massachusetts submitted its final report to the Legislature this month. Kendall Boninti and Judi Paradis served on this Commission representing MSLA. The report of the Commission includes key findings regarding equity and access issues in the Commonwealth’s school libraries. The Commission provided legislators with a series of recommendations for improving equity in Massachusetts public schools, and provided a comprehensive plan and timeline for their implementation. In a letter to the Massachusetts Legislature, the Commissioners urged legislators to accept their recommendations and work with DESE to ensure their implementation.
The Commission, which included legislators, members of the library and educational communities, and community members, contacted two respected researchers to conduct a comprehensive academic study to evaluate school library programs for equity using a series of data points specified in legislation passed by the Massachusetts Senate in 2013 (Bill S.1906). The leading researcher, Dr. Carol A. Gordon, is a retired Associate Professor in the Department of Library and Information Science at Rutgers University where she served as the Co-Director of the Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries (CISSL). She was assisted by Dr. Robin Cicchetti, Head Librarian at Concord-Carlisle Regional High School. The study was distributed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and data analysis assistance was provided by CISSL.
The Massachusetts School Library Study: Equity and Access for Students in the Commonwealth provides a report of the research conducted by Drs. Gordon and Cicchetti along with five broad recommendations that as goals for a long-term plan. The complete report is available on the website of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and you can find it here. Analysis of the data and the resulting findings show there are statistically significant differences in measures of status and equity for students from urban and rural districts compared with students from suburban districts. Based on these findings, the Commission recommends:
Recommendation 1.0. Improve Access to School Libraries and School Librarians
- Recommendation 1A. Every public school in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a school library and a certified school librarian.
- Recommendation 1B. Establish the position and responsibilities of the School Library Curriculum Specialist at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
- Recommendation 1C. Support a culture of inquiry in schools that sustains inquiry and resource-based learning, collaborative teaching, and the integration of digital technology to improve access for all students.
Recommendation 2A.. Increase access to print resources in school libraries.
- Recommendation 2B.. Increase access to electronic resources in school libraries.
Recommendation 3A. Improve access to internet and digital devices in school libraries.
- Recommendation 3B. Increase access to Information Technology through staffing.
- Recommendation 4A. Promote best instructional practices in the school library.
Funding cuts across all the dimensions of school librarianship. Guidelines for Budget Allocation and Expenditure should be developed to support Recommendations 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0.
The Commission thanks MSLA for providing support for this important work. We look forward to seeing our recommendations adopted to improve school library programs for all Massachusetts public school students.
March 2018
The School Library Commission has completed their work. READ the Study, posted on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website:
THE MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL LIBRARY STUDY: EQUITY AND ACCESS FOR STUDENTS IN THE COMMONWEALTH
January 16, 2017
Dear Colleagues,
Liz Phipps-Soeiro recently had the opportunity to host a Legislative Breakfast at her school in Cambridge. At this breakfast Kendall Boninti gave a speech on the Legislative Commission update. The following is the edited version of speech.
Numerous studies show that school library programs staffed by qualified school librarians have a positive impact on student academic achievement. Students who attend schools with professionally staffed, well funded school libraries have increased interest in reading, perform better on standardized tests, and are better equipped to critically evaluate the information that’s being fed to them through print and digital media. Some districts in Massachusetts are fortunate. They have licensed library teachers in every school….but sadly, this is not the norm in many school districts around the state.
In 2014, a state commission was established that was tasked with examining the status of school libraries in Massachusetts. The commission partnered with the state’s educational body to develop a survey, and collect and analyze data about everything from staffing in school libraries, to technology, to funding, and more. This is first time that anything like this has been done in Massachusetts. The results of the survey will be shared with the Department of Education and used to develop a long-range plan to ensure that all Massachusetts children have equal access to high quality school library programs.
So...the results of the survey are in, and the empirical data is undisputable. We do not have equitable library services for students across the Commonwealth. The data also shows that most of the districts without school library programs are our rural and urban communities, which we know often serve a higher percentage of high needs students than their suburban counterparts. This puts these students a great disadvantage and uphill climb to success.
The good news is that we can do something about it. In 2015, there was an act passed called ESSA or Every Student Succeeds Act (which replaced No Child Left Behind). And unlike previous educational acts, ESSA specifically named school libraries and school librarians as critical partners in education. It also opened up the use of federal funding for effective school library programs. So let your school administrators and school boards know that this money exists and it can and should be used to address these statewide inequities and provide equal opportunities for all children.
Another really important organization to support and speak up on behalf of is the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners or the MBLC. The MBLC funds essential services that make a huge impact on student learning, including the online databases and digital resources that we all depend on and are free to all Massachusetts students. Please tell your legislators to support the MBLC budget and support any initiative at state and local level that support libraries. And Of course, make sure that you show your gratitude to the wonderful legislators that stand up on behalf of libraries. Their support is SO important to the continued success off great library programs.
This is a real moment for school libraries and I hope you will join in speaking up on behalf of children throughout the commonwealth to demand equitable access to that high quality school library programs be for all. (Presented by Kendall Bononti - January 13, 2017)
Rachel Bouhanda and Liz Phipps-Soeiro
CO- Legislative Chairs MSLA
APRIL 4, 2016
Dear Colleagues,
As you may know, MSLA won an important legislative victory in 2014, resulting in a formation of a legislative commission to evaluate the status of school library programs in Massachusetts. Information gathered by the commission will be used to evaluate the equity and access of school library programs across the Commonwealth and make recommendations to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regarding standards for library staffing and materials.
In order to optimize this opportunity, we need every school librarian working in a Massachusetts public or charter school to take time in the next few weeks to take this survey. The Commission is asking for the survey to be completed by April 30th, 2016.
The School Library Commission has completed their work. READ the Study, posted on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website:
THE MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL LIBRARY STUDY: EQUITY AND ACCESS FOR STUDENTS IN THE COMMONWEALTH
January 16, 2017
Dear Colleagues,
Liz Phipps-Soeiro recently had the opportunity to host a Legislative Breakfast at her school in Cambridge. At this breakfast Kendall Boninti gave a speech on the Legislative Commission update. The following is the edited version of speech.
Numerous studies show that school library programs staffed by qualified school librarians have a positive impact on student academic achievement. Students who attend schools with professionally staffed, well funded school libraries have increased interest in reading, perform better on standardized tests, and are better equipped to critically evaluate the information that’s being fed to them through print and digital media. Some districts in Massachusetts are fortunate. They have licensed library teachers in every school….but sadly, this is not the norm in many school districts around the state.
In 2014, a state commission was established that was tasked with examining the status of school libraries in Massachusetts. The commission partnered with the state’s educational body to develop a survey, and collect and analyze data about everything from staffing in school libraries, to technology, to funding, and more. This is first time that anything like this has been done in Massachusetts. The results of the survey will be shared with the Department of Education and used to develop a long-range plan to ensure that all Massachusetts children have equal access to high quality school library programs.
So...the results of the survey are in, and the empirical data is undisputable. We do not have equitable library services for students across the Commonwealth. The data also shows that most of the districts without school library programs are our rural and urban communities, which we know often serve a higher percentage of high needs students than their suburban counterparts. This puts these students a great disadvantage and uphill climb to success.
The good news is that we can do something about it. In 2015, there was an act passed called ESSA or Every Student Succeeds Act (which replaced No Child Left Behind). And unlike previous educational acts, ESSA specifically named school libraries and school librarians as critical partners in education. It also opened up the use of federal funding for effective school library programs. So let your school administrators and school boards know that this money exists and it can and should be used to address these statewide inequities and provide equal opportunities for all children.
Another really important organization to support and speak up on behalf of is the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners or the MBLC. The MBLC funds essential services that make a huge impact on student learning, including the online databases and digital resources that we all depend on and are free to all Massachusetts students. Please tell your legislators to support the MBLC budget and support any initiative at state and local level that support libraries. And Of course, make sure that you show your gratitude to the wonderful legislators that stand up on behalf of libraries. Their support is SO important to the continued success off great library programs.
This is a real moment for school libraries and I hope you will join in speaking up on behalf of children throughout the commonwealth to demand equitable access to that high quality school library programs be for all. (Presented by Kendall Bononti - January 13, 2017)
Rachel Bouhanda and Liz Phipps-Soeiro
CO- Legislative Chairs MSLA
APRIL 4, 2016
Dear Colleagues,
As you may know, MSLA won an important legislative victory in 2014, resulting in a formation of a legislative commission to evaluate the status of school library programs in Massachusetts. Information gathered by the commission will be used to evaluate the equity and access of school library programs across the Commonwealth and make recommendations to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regarding standards for library staffing and materials.
In order to optimize this opportunity, we need every school librarian working in a Massachusetts public or charter school to take time in the next few weeks to take this survey. The Commission is asking for the survey to be completed by April 30th, 2016.
Your administrator will receive the survey from the Commissioner of Education this week, and will be asked to send it to you for completion. Please ask your administrator about this to ensure you receive it in a timely manner. The survey will take approximately 30min to complete. MSLA has created a pre-survey Help Sheet, which outlines the information you will need to take the survey: http://tinyurl.com/MASurveyHelp
This is an exciting opportunity for the Massachusetts school library community, and especially for the students of Massachusetts. We have an opportunity to make the case that access to school library programs needs to be provided to all our students. The Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries (CISSL) at Rutgers University has partnered with the Legislative Commission and will analyze the data collected. Please contact us if you have any questions about the study or the commission.
Sincerely,
Kendall Boninti and Judi Paradis
MSLA Delegates to the Legislative Commission
About the Commission:
The Joint Commission on School Library Services in the Commonwealth is comprised of representatives of library, educational, legislative and citizen groups. It is chaired by Senator Kenneth Donnelly of the 4th Middlesex District and Representative Sean Garballey of the 23rd Middlesex District and is comprised of representatives from the Legislature, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the Massachusetts School Library Association, the Massachusetts Library Association, the Massachusetts business community, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and the Massachusetts Library System.liz phipps-soeiro
This is an exciting opportunity for the Massachusetts school library community, and especially for the students of Massachusetts. We have an opportunity to make the case that access to school library programs needs to be provided to all our students. The Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries (CISSL) at Rutgers University has partnered with the Legislative Commission and will analyze the data collected. Please contact us if you have any questions about the study or the commission.
Sincerely,
Kendall Boninti and Judi Paradis
MSLA Delegates to the Legislative Commission
About the Commission:
The Joint Commission on School Library Services in the Commonwealth is comprised of representatives of library, educational, legislative and citizen groups. It is chaired by Senator Kenneth Donnelly of the 4th Middlesex District and Representative Sean Garballey of the 23rd Middlesex District and is comprised of representatives from the Legislature, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the Massachusetts School Library Association, the Massachusetts Library Association, the Massachusetts business community, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and the Massachusetts Library System.liz phipps-soeiro
Library Commission Purpose and Objectives
Purpose: The commission’s primary purpose is to study the public school library programs in the commonwealth and the best way to serve the needs of students.
Objectives: The commission will...
Purpose: The commission’s primary purpose is to study the public school library programs in the commonwealth and the best way to serve the needs of students.
Objectives: The commission will...
- Conduct public hearings to gather information
- Collaborate with researchers Dr. Robin Cicchetti and Dr. Carol Gordon to design a survey instrument and collect data on the eleven items outlined in the statute
- Solicit participation in the survey by reaching out to public school districts throughout the Commonwealth
- Develop a summary report of the commission’s findings with recommendations for school library facilities, budget, staffing, collection development and curriculum standards for school library programs
- Share report and recommendations with the Joint Committee on Education and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Library Commission Members
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Back row, left to right: Carol Gordon, Laura Carrah, Robin Cicchetti, Judi Paradis, Dan Callahan, Kendall Boninti
Front row: Judy Marcella, John Rosenberry (aide to Rep. Garballey)
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Commission Resources
Updated: February 2, 2020 Page Editor: Deeth Ellis [email protected] and Georgina Trebbe [email protected]
