Equal Access through the SKILLs Act–Act NOW October 8, 2007
Posted by Sara Kelly Johns in : Community , add a commentEqual access for all? There is a difference in student learning between schools with librarians who care about kids and their learning. We know that, our studies show that, but we need to make the connections for our representatives in Washington as they reauthorize NCLB.
Here’s a way to make sure that all students have equal access to the opportunities they need for literacy and learning. The chance to get the Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act) language included in the reauthorization of NCLB is THIS WEEK. Today is the best time to act, but this week is crucial. Calls to representatives from us, our students, their parents, community members, your relatives, union representatives…ALL are important for students’ futures. Make sure your voice is heard.
We are working to make certain that our students have opportunities to learn the skills they need to be successful as they live, work and learn in the 21st Century.
To read more about the SKILLS Act go to:
http://www.capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=10223941 There you can find out who to contact. Once you have your congress person’s name, call the Capitol switchboard at (202)225-3121 and ask for your representative’s office. Or go to their website for the phone number. The talking points on the Washington office SKILLs Act page work well with the script AASL Advocacy Committee chair Deb Logan posted below from an OELMA advocacy workshop.
Check out the NPR story for ammunition about the need to increase students’ reading scores; they are flat under NCLB as it is now written. The inclusion of SKILLs Act language would make a difference; our studies show the connection:
YOUR voice can make a difference for kids!