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to the projects that they are working on. At the middle school and high school level, it is important to work with teachers of all disciplines, not just the English teacher. Work with teachers to construct units that incorporate library usage. This reinforces what the teachers are already providing to their classes.

DATABASES

A very effective tool in the quest for improved test scores is the online databases that schools have access to. Many teachers and administrators do not take advantage of these opportunities. State libraries increasingly subscribe to various databases. Public schools usually have access to these subscriptions. There are wonderful test practice sites on these databases that are connected to the standards at every grade level. Broker time with teachers to get students onto the computers to practice these standardized tests. It is important to follow-up with the students and discuss what they are making errors in. Frequently students just are not used to some of the formats of questions in standardized tests. As a result more exposure to these standardized test experiences helps with test scores.

BE CURRENT

Nothing draws middle school and high school students into a library faster than if they know that the library is always buying a few new books. They like to see books on the library shelves that they see on the bookstore shelves. Promote these new books on the school website, announcements, posters in the hall and even having a new books section in the library.

HOST A BOOK FAIR

Book fairs provide a great opportunity to earn new books for the library as well as getting inexpensive books into the hands of students through purchases. Tie the book fair to a school event such as parent teacher conferences to bring parents in with students to look at purchasing books. The more books that are in the hands of students, the greater the chance is that they will be read which correlates to higher test scores.

The library encourages literacy. Improved literacy improves test scores in every content area. Librarians must be seen as one of the most valuable opportunities to promote learning in the school district.

Learn more about this author, MJ Suttor.
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