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This research study compares the investment level and resources available in Library Media Centers (LMCs) in Pennsylvania and Colorado and examines their impact on academic achievement. The findings suggest that a higher level of investment in LMC programs leads to improved achievement, with staffing and material resources playing a significant role.
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Research Finding: • A certain level of investment in the LMC program is necessary to expect improved achievement. • What level of investment is required to make a significant difference?
Lance Findings in Two States • Pennsylvania (2000) 435 schools • Colorado (2000) 200 schools
Comparison of 25 Top Scoring vs. 25 Lowest Scoring Schools • Staffing in Pennsylvania • Professional staff hours/week • 5th grade 34.31 vs. 29.36 17% difference • 8th grade 38.40 vs. 37.63 2% difference • 11th grade 45.06 vs. 43.25 4% difference • Support staff hours/week • 5th grade 25.92 vs. 12.48 108% difference • 8th grade 30.30 vs. 15.80 92% difference • 11th grade 49.57 vs. 19.28 157% difference
Conclusion in Pennsylvania • Support staff was the key difference between strong and weak library media programs. • That is, professionals alone cannot make a major difference because of the load of clerical and technical work.
Finding in Colorado • Total library media staff hours/100 students • 4th grade 14.67 vs. 9.38 56% difference • 7th grade 13.00 vs. 10.72 21% difference
Conclusion for Colorado: • The total LMC staff size contributes to academic achievement.
Budget investment for two states • Pennsylvania • Colorado
25 Highest Scoring vs. 25 Lowest Scoring Schools • Pennsylvania budget for LMC materials • 5th grade $7,240 vs. $4,928 • 47% difference in scores • 8th grade $14,506 vs. $8,386 • 73% difference in scores • 11th grade $23,730 vs. 14,197 • 67% difference in scores
25 Highest Scoring vs. 25 Lowest Scoring Schools • Colorado budget for LMC materials • 4th grade $21.60/student vs. $14.00 • 54 % difference in scores • 7th grade $22.33/student vs. $13.44 • 66% difference in scores
Conclusion for Colorado and Pennsylvania • In both states, high achieving schools have significantly higher budgets for materials in their library media programs.
Materials available in the LMC in two states • Pennsylvania • Colorado
25 Highest Scoring vs. 25 Lowest Scoring Schools • Pennsylvania print volumes • 5th grade 10,857 vs. 8,876 • 22% difference in scores • 8th grade 13,507 vs. 10,744 • 26% difference in scores • 11th grade 15,474 vs. 14,499 • 7% difference in scores
25 Highest Scoring vs. 25 Lowest Scoring Schools • Colorado print volumes/student • 4th grade 20.28 vs. 14.20 • 43% difference in scores • 7th grade 16.53 vs. 13.87 • 19% difference in scores
Conclusion for Two States • Stronger LMCs have richer print collections and this contributes to academic achievement. • They also have stronger periodical periodical and electronic collections