82R25732 BPG-D
By: Munoz, Jr. H.R. No. 1958
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Certified school librarians possess special
experience and expertise necessary to help young Texans achieve
their highest academic potential; and
WHEREAS, In order to receive certification, librarians must
hold a master's degree, have at least two full years of classroom
teaching experience, and pass a graduate-level exam on library
media functions and supporting school curricula; this
certification ensures that information professionals are well
qualified to meet the needs of children, whose first library
experience may well be at school; librarians teach students how to
select, use, understand, and evaluate information in all formats,
and these skills are essential in building a strong foundation for
academic success; and
WHEREAS, National guidelines recommend that every school
campus have at least one full-time, certified library professional;
numerous research studies have shown a high correlation between
strong student performance on state standardized tests and access
to an exemplary school library program led by a certified school
librarian; unfortunately, many elementary school children in Texas
today are disadvantaged by their schools' lack of a certified
librarian; and
WHEREAS, Every Texan has a vested interest in ensuring that
our children receive an education of the highest quality, and
certified school librarians provide instruction that is
fundamental to the development of the critical thinking and
technological literacy skills required to compete in an
increasingly challenging global economy; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby encourage school districts with any campus at
which 500 or more students are enrolled to employ for each
elementary school a librarian certified under the rules of the
State Board for Educator Certification, and if the district is
without any campus at which at least 500 students are enrolled, to
employ a part-time certified librarian or a part-time teacher
certified as a librarian, or to enter into a shared services
arrangement for a certified librarian.