Background: ESEA reauthorization, currently known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), will determine federal education policy for the coming decade. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee marked-up (voted out of committee) ESEA on October 20, 2011 without including school libraries! While no date has yet been set for a Senate vote, the American Library Association believes that it may come up after January 23, 2012.
What It Means for School Libraries: Ensuring that school libraries are included in ESEA reauthorization means that federal funding for schools would also include school libraries. But, more importantly, having school libraries included in ESEA is a strong statement that school library programs are considered an important part of the learning environment. This will make it harder for local decision makers to de-professionalize or cut school library services.
What You Can Do: It is imperative that every library supporter in the country call or email both of their Senators now! Call 202-224-3121 to reach the U.S. Capitol switchboard in Washington or call them at their local offices. Let them know that ESEA must include a specific authorization for an effective school library program. Senators can do this by telling both Senator Tom Harkin and Senator Mike Enzi that they support including an effective school library program in ESEA. You can also find more information by visiting the I Love Libraries website.
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