Date Approved

5-15-2008

Embargo Period

3-21-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in School and Public Librarianship

Department

Special Educational Services/Instruction

College

College of Education

Advisor

Shontz, Marilyn

Subject(s)

Achievement tests--New Jersey; Library orientation

Disciplines

Library and Information Science

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of academic success of fourth grade students who experience regularly scheduled library instruction as measured by the language arts test scores on the annual New Jersey state achievement tests. After extensive research was completed, several articles from such authors as K. C. Lance and L. Starr were chosen as part of this study. In addition, Scholastic's research paper entitled School Libraries Work which contained many additional studies on the chosen topic was read and summarized in this proposal. Following the above research, three research questions were developed along with a plan of action.

A survey was sent out by way of e-mail, containing 10 questions. This survey was delivered to school library media specialists serving 108 elementary schools throughout counties of southern New Jersey. With approximately one-third of the schools responding, tallies and analysis of their responses were made. Using these tallies, graphs and charts were developed as part of the analysis done for this study. Results of this study did not provide strong evidence linking the impact or affect of library instruction on fourth grade students' academic success.

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