Poster #5 - In Search of Theory: A Deep Dive Into the Characteristics of School Librarian Outliers

• In Event: 43.081 - MTCC Poster Session Nine
  In Poster Session: 43.081-1 - Contemporary Issues in Educational Evaluation 2

Abstract

The need for more rigorous empirical investigation into the effect of school librarians (SLs) on student achievement is undeniable. Although hundreds of correlational and descriptive research studies proclaim SL’s positive effect on student achievement, there is no theoretical framework that explains what it is that SLs do that influences student success. The purpose of this study is to identify schools in which SLs are beating the odds—schools that are performing better than expected in comparison to schools that are underperforming. A comparison of variables that distinguishes these two groups helps to articulate a theory explaining the influence of SLs on student learning. An outlier analysis technique reveals differences in these SL characteristics: demographics, scheduling, curriculum, and collaborative behaviors

Authors

• Joette Stefl-Mabry, University at Albany - SUNY

• Michael S Radlick, Learning Technology Visions, LLC

• Yenisel Gulatee, University at Albany - SUNY

• Shannon Mersand, University at Albany - SUNY