What’s with WASC? YOU!

California School Library Association

Committee on Standards Integration

Agenda

• WASC
• Teacher Librarians’ Role
• Focus on Learning WASC/CDE Process Guide for School Library Programs
• Report process

What is ?

• WASC is the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
• WASC serves as the accrediting commission for K-12 schools and not-for-profit, non-degree granting postsecondary institutions. Its commission is composed of 32 representatives from education.
• WASC insures “that an institution has clearly defined objectives appropriate to education; has established conditions under which their achievement can reasonably be expected; appears in fact to be accomplishing them substantially; is so organized, staffed, and supported that it can be expected to continue to do so; and demonstrates that it meets ACS WASC’s criteria and accreditation standards.”

Why WASC?

• The WASC accreditation process is a powerful stimulus for schools to re-examine or define their goals and objectives.
• It is an opportunity to look introspectively at the instructional program of the school and to write descriptions that emphasize both accomplishments and the need for change.
• It publicly recognizes a school’s planning and achievement, which makes them more desirable and marketable.

How does WASC work?

• Every 6 years schools conduct a self-study and host a self-study visit.
• The process results in refining a schoolwide action plan.
• Throughout the 6-year cycle, schools address and plan and give evidence of acceptable student achievement and school improvement.

How do Teacher Librarians fit in?

• The WASC process is an opportunity to showcase the library program.
• It is an opportunity for participation and leadership in the self-study and action plan.
• It is an opportunity to participate in WASC at the state level by visiting and reviewing comparable schools, and to have a greater voice in WASC itself.

​

• You can start by using and promoting the 2020 CSLA Focus on Learning WASC/CDE Process Guide for School Library Programs to interpret, assess and develop the library program.

​

What is the CSLA Focus on Learning WASC/CDE Process Guide for School Library Programs?

• CSLA is the California School Library Association: the state’s professional organization for school library staff
• The CSLA Committee on Standards Integration developed the guide, based on WASC documentation, library standards, and WASC experience.
• The process guide is intended to guide teacher librarians, administrators, and others as they use the Focus on Learning document to interpret, assess and develop the library program.

How can the Focus on Learning guide be used?

• Make copies of Focus on Learning available in the library – and the principal’s office.
• Read the entire document carefully.
• Highlight items that are impacted by, or have potential impact for, the library program.
• Highlight phrases and items relevant to the library program (e.g., resources, technology, critical thinking, problem solving, lifelong learning, etc.). Each highlighted item should be addressed in the self-study.
• Incorporate sample indicator statements and examples of supporting evidence.
• Include statements about the library program and facility throughout the report.
• Include a separate “Status of the Library” report using the Model School Library Standards as an evaluation rubric.
• Refer to California’s Education Code, state and national school library standards, and district guidelines to justify the school library’s role in contributing to the school’s accreditation.

Self-Study Librarian Participation

• Join the Leadership Team of chairs and other representatives.
• Join at least one of 5 focus home groups: organization, curriculum, instruction, assessment, school culture and support.
• Use the CSLA Focus on Learning guide to point out the role of the library program within each focus.
• Each focus in the guide has sample indicator statements and examples of supporting evidence.

​

Library Role for Each Focus: Organization

• The school’s mission statement should include reference to the importance of information, digital or media literacy and problem solving.
• Teacher librarians should be involved in leadership and decision-making because they, and other qualified library staff, promote achievement of academic standards and the SLOs.

​

Library Role for Each Focus: Curriculum

• The library program provides access to curated curricular resources.
• Teacher librarians deliver standard-based curriculum, including research-based library learning outcomes, collaboratively and independently.
• Teacher librarians help students prepare for college, career and life.

Library Role for Each Focus: Instruction

• The library program enables instruction to integrate appropriate resources.
• Teacher librarians are credentialed teachers who teach based on current educational research.
• Teacher librarians provide engaging, challenging and relevant learning experiences for the school community in a rich learning environment.

Library Role for Each Focus: Assessment

• Library instruction in conjunction with the content teacher should include a comprehensive assessment and reporting criteria of library skills as they apply to relevant learning experiences that prepare students for college and career readiness.
• The library’s curriculum assesses students’ progress toward library research competencies that include technology and higher order thinking skills.
• Teacher librarians use assessment to modify and improve the overall library program of resources and services.

Library Role for Each Focus: Culture & Support

• Library instruction within the school environment should be integrated throughout personal and academic growth preparing students for life after secondary graduation, including lifelong learning.
• The school library is a safe, clean, and orderly place that nurtures learning and teaches internet safety. The library is a place that is characterized by trust, professionalism, and high expectations for all.
• Teacher librarians should be involved with parents and the community in developing and employing a supportive school culture.

Expected Student Learning Outcomes

• Teacher librarians ensure that library-focused SLOs are included:

Access, Evaluate, Use, and Integrate information

Applicable Standards Guiding School Libraries

• Model School Library Standards for California Public Schools. 2010. California Department of Education. See p. 31-34 for school library program standards. https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/lb/schoollibstnds2017.asp
• National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries. 2018. American Association of School Libraries. http://standards.aasl.org
• Standards for Students. 2016. International Society for Technology in Education. https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students
• Standards for Educators. 2017. International Society for Technology in Education. https://www.iste.org/standards/for-educators

Gathering and Leveraging Evidence

• Use library standards rubrics
• Use the Focus on Learning criteria guide questions
• Use assessments of the library’s collection and its usage
• Use library assessments of sample lessons and student work
• Use observations, interviews and surveys of the school community relative to the library program
• Use assessments of library documents (e.g., schedules, publications, web portal)
• Use assessment of library processes (e.g., planning, collection development, instruction, communication, management)
• For all data, document how you disaggregate and analyze the findings and then act on them

​

​

Don’t do this alone!

• Establish your own advisory team.
• Develop the library’s report in collaboration with the team.
• Ask the team to provide input (especially evidence about the library program) for each section of the self-study.
• Ask the team to review the entire self-study to make sure that the library program is addressed.
• Support your teammates.

​

• AND be an active participant of each self-study groups that you join: leverage your skills by volunteering to provide research and organization.

Looking to do more with WASC?

• Coach another teacher librarian.
• Train your district’s library staff.
• Give a regional CSLA workshop.
• Train WASC volunteers.
• Volunteer to help as a WASC accreditation team.

Power Up School Libraries �to Power up Students and Schools -- with WASC!