Assessment

Reflective practice is critical to improvement. In the school library program, I try to assess both the program itself and the students progress toward the mission of the program. I know that I need to do a better job at more systematic assessment and be more active in using this data to inform future plans and work. The first few years I was here, I did a lot of assessing the current state of the program to institute changes. Now that I am the one who has established the program, I would like to approach practices with a more critical eye during next school year. I try to always keep my mind on improvement and enhancement of the library services and program.

Program Assessment Using State Guidelines[[image:LLcover.jpg align="right"]]
Each year I evaluate the Highland Library Program according to the standards outlined in //Linking for Learning, the Illinois Library Media Program Guidelines.// A new version of Linking was just released. I'm really excited to start using it in the fall. It is a much more assessment and data driven evaluation process. This should help me as I strive to do a more thorough job with assessment.

The evaluations of the Highland Library Program, which essentially serve as Annual Reports, are shared with the school board on a yearly basis.

Collecting Data from Patrons
I collect data through observation, conversation, and through some formal surveying.

I've used Google Forms on several occasions. When students vote for the readers' choice awards, I include several questions that helps to inform the future decisions about those programs and gives me insight into why students participate.

I also did a survey of a sampling of students about eBooks and eReaders as a way to help inform my decision making about launching a new program.

Students were given a district tech survey and several questions would shed light on library services. I asked Pam to get that data in order to analyze it to help with decisions about future practice, particularly for orientation and introductory sessions next fall.