Highly Effective School Library Program

The focus of the Highly Effective School Library Program is two-fold:

To provide guidance for K-12 educators as they facilitate student achievement and preparation for 21st century success, and,
To recognize outstanding school library programs and librarians.

Our goal is that all schools will have highly-qualified teacher librarians and communities (parents, students, administrators, and fellow educators) that promote and exemplary librarian and library program to facilitate student achievement in the 21st century.

The program has an exciting new look and feel. To earn highly effective status principals and teacher librarians complete applications for five exemplars, using the rubric as a guide. After earning all five exemplars, the school will acquire the "Highly Effective School Library Program" designation. The school will then be eligible to apply for the newly developed Distinguished School Library Program of the Year Award (Details below).

Rubric

2016 Highly Effective School Library Program (HESLP) Evaluation Rubric - The highly effective school library program rubric guides administrators and teacher librarians in sustaining and growing the school’s library program.
This rubric provides school librarians, teachers and principals a means for evaluating all aspects of a Highly Effective School Library Program. See 2-3 minute video clips embedded in 5 of the competencies.
Growth Plan (DOCX)
Growth Plan (PDF)
Sample Teacher Librarian Growth Plan (PDF)

Highly Effective Recognition

Teacher librarians collaborate with their principal to earn up to five credentials in the areas listed below. These forms are designed as a guide for principals and/or evaluators to determine when the teacher-librarian earns the credential. Here are some suggestions for exemplar evidence.

Highly Effective - Planning

A highly effective teacher librarian develops effective plans for the library program. Annual review of school focus goals, library data and collaborative input from the school community is part of developing a plan of action for continuous quality improvement. Planning Exemplar Application

Highly Effective - Instructional Specialist

The highly effective teacher librarian designs and implements lessons and assessments that meaningfully integrate 21st Century Learning Standards, Colorado Academic Standards, and digital literacy skills through direct instruction and collaboration with content teachers. Instructional Specialist Exemplar Application

Highly Effective - Leadership

As a leader, the highly effective teacher librarian promotes collaboration and creative problem solving. The teacher librarian influences staff and students to embrace a growth mindset by demonstrating lifelong learning in practice. Leadership Exemplar Application

Highly Effective - Library Environment

The highly effective teacher librarian establishes a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students. The school library space is open, warm welcoming; it is flexibly designed to meet a wide variety of needs as well as to foster learning and curiosity. Library Environment Exemplar Application

Highly Effective - Library Management

The highly effective school library program is guided by thoughtful, professionally-driven policies that are adopted at the district level along with school-level procedures and practices to assure consistent operations, fair access to information, and open exchange of ideas in an appealing environment. Library Management Exemplar Application

Distinguished School Library Program of the Year Award

Each year, one school library program will be recognized by the State Board of Education as a "Distinguished Program." The award will be conferred during a public session of the State Board to the school librarian, principal, and district superintendent - accompanied by a presentation that highlights the library program's values and achievements. Teacher librarians who earn all five exemplars and highly effective status for their library programs are eligible to apply for this award.

Award Guidelines
Application for Award - Anticipated for September 2016

Highly Effective School Library Past Recipients

Contact Information

For more information about the Highly Effective School Library Program, contact:

Becky Russell, School Library / 21st Century Skills Instructional Specialist
E-mail: russell_b@cde.state.co.us
Office: 303.866.6772

Casey Veatch, Digital Literacy Instructional Specialist
Email: veatch_c@cde.state.co.us
Office: 303.866.6922