Bipartisan Bill Offered to Improve Student Achievement through Better School Libraries

Press Release

U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) is the lead Republican sponsor of legislation intended to increase academic achievement by improving school libraries.

Cochran joined U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) in introducing the Strengthening Kids' Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLS) Act (S.312) recently. The measure would reauthorize the Improving Literacy through School Libraries Program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the only federal initiative to support school libraries.

"School libraries should be an integral part of our educational system. This bipartisan legislation is intended to ensure that school libraries are better equipped to offer students the reading, research and digital skills resources they need to succeed," Cochran said. "I believe that increasing students' access to appropriate reading material across multiple formats is key to improving childhood literacy rates in Mississippi and every state."

"Effective school library programs are essential for educational success. Multiple education and library studies have produced clear evidence that school libraries staffed by qualified librarians have a positive impact on student academic achievement. Knowing how to find and use information are essential skills for college, careers, and life in general," said Reed.

The bipartisan SKILLS Act would expand professional development to include: digital literacy instruction and reading and writing instruction across all grade levels; coordination between librarians and teachers; and books and materials for students with special learning needs. S.312 would also emphasize improved training, professional development, and recruitment activities to include school librarians.

S.312 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which is expected to tackle reauthorization of the overall ESEA in the 114th Congress.

Reed and Cochran have offered similar legislation in recent Congresses.

A recent National Center for Education Statistics survey showed approximately 8,800 schools did not report having a library media center, and only about two-thirds of the traditional public schools that did have libraries reported having a full-time, certified librarian. One in five traditional public schools reported having no paid, state-certified library staff at all.

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