Candidate knowledge and skills to meet TExES Standards

Candidates will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions gained in the Library Science program. 

All candidates seeking school librarian certification must take the TExES (Texas Examination of Educator Standards) for school librarians. This exam directly corresponds to the state content competencies that are designed to measure the candidates' level of mastery as it relates to the field. Results of candidate scores on the TExES test for school librarians determine the pass rate for each testing period.

Candidates will pass the TExES Exam for School Librarian, and 80% of candidates will succeed upon their first effort. A scaled score lf 240 is required for passing. The overall pass rate will exceed 90% of candidates.

Once the faculty studied the TExES results, the following weaknesses emerged: the school librarian as an educational leader in learner-centered teaching and learning, and the school librarian as an educational leader in learner-centered library environment.

The weaknesses that emerged are being addressed. The department focused upon these areas where improvement is needed at this year's Advisory Council Meeting held on May 3, 2010. Furthermore, as a faculty, we have followed with an agreement that content and assignments would be added to various Library Science courses to address the concerns.

Library science candidates prepare a final assessment portfolio for the MLS to demonstrate mastery and competence standards adopted by the field.

Candidates will demonstrate mastery of their knowledge, skills, and dispositions gained in the Library Science program on the final assessment portfolio.

Every graduate program requires a final product for its course of study. Historically the Department of Library Science has utilized a written comprehensive exam, followed by an oral review, and most recently, an electronic portfolio. The faculty believes that the electronic portfolio is currently the best method of providing evidence that the candidate is prepared for the world of school librarianship. Four major areas are covered: Administration, Literature, Resources and Services, and Technology.

The student must meet acceptable or target evaluations of their final assessment portfolio, the culminating product submitted during semester prior to graduation. Portfolios are evaluated based upon presentation of artifacts and reflections related to four major areas: literature, technology, administration, and resources and services. The evaluation is based on NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) standards. Professors grade the portfolios using rubrics developed by faculty for this purpose.

All students will obtain an assessment of either acceptable or target as indicated by department rubrics on the final portfolio. The desired ratio is 75% acceptable and 25% Target.

Areas of weaknesses in the program emerged when studying the rubric scores.  The major weakness found was that candidates's submissions demonstrate they have difficulty discussing and describing major concepts for each of the four sections: Resources/Services (LS 530, 532, 534); Administration (LS 537, 567); Literature (LS 560, 585); and Technology (LS 570, 591, 596).

Prior to this year, the faculty has already put in place a Graduate Seminar that all candidates are required to attend in their first semester where they are informed of the expectations for their final product for portfolio. Starting Summer 2010, each professor will emphasize major concepts that are expected to appear in the portfolio. Also, candidates will be supported by portfolio reviews in their final semester and personal advisement throughout their studies.