School Library Teacher Program : Graduate School of Library and Information Science

enhancing school curriculum School library teachers (SLT) manage the library media technology centers that serve as the hubs of information and educational activity in schools. In addition to working directly with children and young adults, they collaborate with classroom teachers and provide information resources that enhance school curriculum. For individuals who seek certification as school library teachers, the GSLIS School Library Teacher program provides exceptional academic and professional training. The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) endorses our program and external accrediting agencies commend us on the program's outstanding quality. Simmons SLT students are noted for their exceptionally high pass rates on the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

The SLT program prepares students for NASDTEC library teacher licensure. NASDTEC certification for the Northeastern region is valid in 26 states including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island. In addition to monitored fieldwork and a school practicum at the elementary-school or secondary-school level, course requirements include: Technology and the School Library Media Center (LIS 460); Children's Literature and Media Collections (LIS 481); and Young Adult Literature (LIS 483).

Leading the Way for Library Teachers

The NASDTEC Interstate Contract facilitates the movement of educators among the states. Under new regulations made effective October 1, 2001, Massachusetts school library candidates who complete state-approved programs need only to qualify for the library teacher license; no prior teacher licensure is required. This is a unique feature of the Massachusetts certification program.

Course Requirements

Requirements for students entering the program Fall 2005 and thereafter are as follows (students who were enrolled in GSLIS prior to Fall 2005 should see the SLTP Student Community):

LIS 403: Evaluation of Information Services
LIS 406: Organization and Management of School Library Media Centers
LIS 407: Reference/Information Services
LIS 415: Information Organization
LIS 426: Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Strategies for Library Teachers
LIS 431: Instructional Strategies for Effective Teaching and Learning in the School Library Media Center
LIS 460: Technology and the School Library Media Center
LIS 481: Children's Literature and Media Collections
LIS 483: Young Adult Literature
LIS 498: Practicum (preK - 8)*+
LIS 499: Practicum (7 - 12)*+
LIS 4XX: 3-credit Elective to be decided by the student

*A candidate may substitute LIS 495: Apprenticeship (preK - 12) for one of the practica. Arrangements for LIS 495 are made with the program director.

+Before entering a practicum, the candidate must take and achieve a passing score in the MTEL (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure).

Field-based Course Work

There is a fieldwork requirement for three of the SLTP courses. This is different from the practicum. SLTP students are required to complete 75 clock hours of fieldwork. It is recommended that these be distributed in 25-hour blocks in each of the following three courses:

LIS 406: Organization and Management of School Library Media Centers
LIS 407: Reference/Information Services
LIS 481: Children's Literature and Media Collections or LIS 483: Young Adult Literature

At the discretion of the program director, other courses or experiences can be substituted for part of this requirement. Prior to beginning a fieldwork project for a class, students should discuss project ideas with their professor.

Fieldwork projects must be completed in a public school library in Massachusetts.

Simmons College

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