Master Texas Educator Standards For School Librarians
Candidate knowledge and skills to meet Texas Educator Standards
Objective
Candidate Knowledge, Skills, And Dispositions
Candidates will demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and dispositions by successfully completing the TExES School Librarian (150) test that is designed to assess examinees according to the prescribed domains that include the following: Domain I - Teaching, Learning, and the School Library Environment; Domain II - Program Management, Leadership, and Connections to the Community; and Domain III - Librarianship, Information Science, and Technology.
Indicator
TExES
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.
Criterion
TExES Scores
Candidates will pass the TExES Exam for School Librarian, and 80% of candidates will succeed upon their first effort. A scaled score of 240 is required for passing. The overall pass rate, with those who have to retake the exam, will exceed 90% of candidates.
In 2012-2013, the candidates pass rate was 73% for first effort success; thus, the 80% criterion will remain for 2013-2014. The faculty moved from the online webinar that proved unsuccessful in supporting our candidates. Currently, the department is requiring that candidate interns successfully complete the pretest prior to the end of the semester. Also, the faculty developed a glossary list to aid the candidates as they prepared for the pretest and the TExES certification examination. For those who require remedial support, a faculty member will work with the individual candidate until the candidate experiences success in passing the TExES.
Finding
Candidate Knowledge, Skils, And Dispositions Findings
The program was not successful in meeting the 80% criterion for candidates to succeed upon their first effort of passing the state's certification examination. In 2013-2014, the candidates pass rate for the examination was 71% for the first effort; thus, the 80% criterion will remain for 2014-2015. In addition, the overall pass rate for the certification examination that includes first time test takers and repeaters was 83%, which doesn't meet the criterion of 90%.
Action
Candidate Knowledge, Skills, And Dispostions Action
Currently, the department is requiring that candidates successfully complete a pretest prior to the end of their coursework in the program. The faculty will continue to use the glossary list as an aid for the candidates as they prepare for the pretest and the TExES state certification examination. In addition, faculty members created several scenarios for each course that will provide candidates with the opportunity to encounter material with problem-solving questions similar to those that might be found on the certification test. The scenarios will be introduced into all required courses in Fall 2014. For those who are in need of remedial support, a faculty member will work with the individual candidate until the candidate experiences success in passing the TExES.
Goal
Portfolio Demonstrating Mastery Of Standards
Library science candidates prepare a final assessment portfolio for the MLS to demonstrate mastery and competence standards adopted by the field.
Objective
Candidate Preparedness
Candidates will demonstrate mastery of their knowledge, skills, and dispositions gained in the Library Science program on the final assessment of portfolio. The portfolio is governed by the ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Preparation of School Librarians (2010). The five standards include: Standard 1 - Teaching for Learning; Standard 2 - Literacy and Reading; Standard 3 - Information and Knowledge; Standard 4 - Advocacy and Leadership; and Standard 5 - Program Management and Administration.
Indicator
Final Assessment Portfolio
Every graduate program requires a final product for its course of study. The Department of Library Science has determined that the electronic portfolio is currently the best method of providing evidence that the candidate is prepared for the world of school librarianship. The electronic portfolio is designed for candidates to demonstrate through artifacts and reflection their completion and mastery of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Standards.
The candidate must meet acceptable or target evaluations of their final assessment portfolio. Professors review the portfolios using rubrics developed by faculty for this purpose.
Criterion
Pass Rates For Portfolio
All candidates will obtain an assessment of either acceptable or target as indicated by department rubrics on the final portfolio. Since candidates met the desired ratio of 30% Acceptable and 70% Target, the new percentages will be 20% Acceptable and 80% Target. This ratio has been adjusted to align the goal with the 2012-2013 results.
Finding
Portfolio Demonstrating Mastery Of Standards Findings
Pass rates for Portfolio for 2013-2014 were as follows: 0% Unacceptable; 47% Acceptable; and 53% Target.
Action
Portfolio Demonstrating Mastery Of Standards Action
While the 100% pass rate was maintained for Portfolio, the percentage of candidates who scored Target was 53%, which is a drop when compared to last academic year's pass rate. The remainder of the 47% of candidates scored at the Acceptable level. In support of the candidates' success with Portfolio, edits were made to the Anecdotal Resume to provide clarification to the suggestions, recommendations, and requirements that are included in the document. These changes were made and in place for Fall 2013. When reviewing the Portfolio scores, Fall 2013 scores are comparatively lower than the Spring 2014 scores. With the edits in place for the first time in Fall 2013, this may have resulted in the lower scores when compared with the Spring 2014 scores where candidates had more time to become familiar with the edits. This may have been one factor contributing to candidate's not meeting the criterion. The program will maintain the current criterion of 20% Acceptable and 80% Target for the 2014-2015 academic year.