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School Library Certification Program
Curriculum & Competencies
The curriculum of the School Library Certification Program (SLCP) is competency-based and engages students in active learning experiences in collaboration with practitioners to develop, apply, and master the competencies established in Guidelines for Library Science, K-12, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 2001.
The curriculum is based on the concepts outlined in "Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning", national guidelines developed in 1998 by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communication and Technology. In 2003, the American Association of School Librarians approved "Standards for Initial Programs for School Library Media Specialist Preparation" that has also been incorporated into the curriculum. These standards have been approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
The AASL Standards identify four areas of competencies for school library media candidates, which are features of our SLCP curriculum:
Use of Information and Ideas
- Efficient and Ethical Information-Seeking Behavior
- Literacy and Reading
- Access to Information
- Stimulating Learning Environment
Teaching and Learning
- Knowledge of Learners and Learning
- Effective and Knowledgeable Teacher
- Information Literacy Curriculum
Collaboration and Leadership
- Connection with the Library Community
- Instructional Partner
- Educational Leader
Program Administration
- Managing Information Resources: Selecting, Organizing, Using
- Managing Program Resources: Human, Financial, Physical
- Comprehensive and Collaborative Strategic Planning and Assessment
Here at the iSchool, students develop competencies under the guidance of skilled and experienced practitioners, who contribute a necessary component of "real-life best practices."
