Deb Kachel, the Legislative Chair of the Pennsylvania Association, sent an email to AASLForum that I want to ask you to replicate with your state's information. Rebecca Morris created a blog post that makes it super easy to do. I am going to paste Deb's original message here and then Rebecca's blog. This is so vitally important that it gets to your state list and ask someone in the public and academic field to pass it on. If your state has a Friends and/or Trustees, ask them to post it as well. This may impact the future of school libraries for years to come.
Here's Deb's message--
Subject: Contact Sen. Casey - Reauthorization of NCLB/ESEA
Hello School Library Supporters,
The reauthorization of ESEA (the Elementary and Secondary Education Act) currently known as No Child Left Behind is finally being address in Congress. Language is being drafted by both the Senate HELP Committee and the House Education & Workforce Committee in Washington, DC. Although the major points of contention are over student testing and teacher evaluation, this is the time to try to impact our Congressmen to add provisions for school libraries.
Therefore, the next two months will be an opportune time for library and education advocates to contact lawmakers and advocate the American Library Assn/Assn of School Librarians position:
1. Maintain dedicated federal funding for school libraries;
2. Staff school libraries with state-licensed school librarians,
3. Provide professional development funds to be used for recruiting and training school librarians
Please contact Senator Bob Casey (http://www.casey.senate.gov/contact) who serves on the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor & Pensions) Committee. Ask him to ensure that the three bullet points above are included in the ESEA Reauthorization which is now being drafted.
Also, the House Education & Workforce Committee is working on a version of a reauthorization. If your US House Representative serves on this committee, please contact him/her asking them to add the three bullet points above to the ESEA Reauthorization which is now being drafted. The PA Representatives are:
Glenn Thompson, Pennsylvania
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
RELATED LEGISLATION
Senators Reed and Cochran introduce school library bill
Last week, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) joined Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) in introducing the SKILLS Act (S.312). Key improvements to the program include expanding professional development to include digital literacy, reading and writing instruction across all grade levels; focusing on coordination and shared planning time between teachers and librarians; and ensuring that books and materials are appropriate students with special learning needs, including English learners.
Continue reading on District Dispatch.
Debra E. Kachel, PSLA Legislation Co-Chairperson
And here is Rebecca's blog-
Hi, School Library Friends--
With Debra's ok, I shared this legislative information on the School Library Monthly Blog: http://blog.schoollibrarymedia.com/index.php/2015/02/12/advocat-with-ready-to-adapt-letter/
I also wrote a tweet that you're welcome to use/adapt-- copy the text here or RT from my Twitter handle, @rebeccajm87
#advocate for #SchoolLibraries in reauthorization of #ESEA by sharing this info w/ #library supporters & legislators http://blog.schoollibrarymedia.com/index.php/2015/02/12/advocat-with-ready-to-adapt-letter/
Thanks, Deb, for all you do for school libraries and school librarians!
I edited the one for Kentucky and sent it to the Legislative chairs of KASL and KLA.