SACSCOC Fifth Year Interim Report
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Assessment : 2012 - 2013 : Educational Programs :
Library Science MLS
Library Science MLS
2 Goals 2 Objectives 2 Indicators 2 Criteria 2 Findings 2 Actions
| GOAL: Master Texas Educator Standards For School Librarians |
| Objective |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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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 2011-2012, we barely made the 80% first effort success; thus, the 80% criterion will remain for 2012-2013. We developed a webinar intervention to accompany a practice pretest and are eager to determine whether it iimpacts knowledge and scores. We also hope to see higher knowledge and skills scores in the areas of literacy and reading as well as program management and administration, slightly weaker areas last year, although still acceptable scores. |
| Finding |
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| Pass rates for all TExES 150 School Librarian exams taken by SHSU graduates and graduate students from July 1, 2012 - July 1, 2013 were as follows: First attempt 73% passing; Best attempt 88% passing. |
Actions for Objective:
| Action |
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| In the future, the Department wants to increase the first attempt pass rate to 80%.The Department is piloting an interactive online platform to engage graduates and graduate candidates in a study session with materials related to the TExES examination. This is in addition to the required pretest. |
| GOAL: Portfolio Demonstrating Mastery Of Standards |
| Objective |
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| 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 |
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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 |
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| All students will obtain an assessment of either acceptable or target as indicated by department rubrics on the final portfolio. The desired ratio is 30% Acceptable and 70% Target, which is the higher score. This ratio has been adjusted to better reflect and provide a more realistic goal as a result of the 2011-2012 results. |
| Finding |
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| Pass rates for Portfolio for 2012-2013 were as follows: 0% Unacceptable; 14% Acceptable; and 86% Target. |
Actions for Objective:
| Action |
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More course discussions surrounding the ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Preparation of School Librarians (2010)* and how assignments are related to those standards and their elements. In doing so, the graduate candidates will be encouraged to make authentic decisions as they create artifacts for assignments that may be included in their Portfolio. *The ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Preparation of School Librarians were developed by American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). |
| Previous Cycle's "Plan for Continuous Improvement" |
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As indicated in the actions, the Department’s intentions are to move forward with the goals that are in place. The Department is pleased that candidates continue to perform well on the TExES exam. Greater portfolio structure has led to candidate success with a 94% pass rate. We want to set our goal for 50% rather than 25%, with the expectation that we will raise the goal each year. We are working on the instructions and support materials to help candidates with this for 2012-2013.The Department is proud of the accomplishments in the 2011-2012 academic year and expect ongoing progress in the year to come.
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| Update on Previous Cycle's "Plan for Continuous Improvement" |
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Last year's adjustments were successful. The graduate candidates did not participate in a webinar session regarding preparation for the TExES exam as planned for 2012-2013. However, the Department hosted an informational webinar for the Portfolio. The webinars were recorded so that candidates could view at their convenience.
Areas where candidates had multiple questions regarding the instructions for Portfolio were revised. Additional support for writing a quality reflection was added. |
| Plan for Continuous Improvement |
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Based on the first attempt pass rate of 73% for the TExES exam, the Department recognizes that preparation for the exam must include an online component in order to accommodate candidates who live throughout Texas since the MLS program is currently totally online. In order to accomplish this, the Department will pilot an interactive online platform to engage graduates and graduate candidates in a study session with materials related to the TExES examination. The session will be recorded for later viewing.
For 2013-2014 the Department will adjust the pass rates for Portfolio to 20% Acceptable and 80% Target. The ratio will be adjusted to better reflect and provide a more realistic goal based on the results of 2012-2013. In addition, the Department plans to implement more course discussions surrounding the ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Preparation of School Librarians (2010)* and how assignments are related to those standards and their elements. In doing so, the graduate candidates will be encouraged to make authentic decisions as they create artifacts for assignments that may be included in their Portfolio. *The ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Preparation of School Librarians were developed by American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). |