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TWU, Dallas ISD project receives $905,000 grant
9/30/05
DENTON —
A $905,030 federal grant awarded to the Texas Woman’s
University School of Library and Information Studies will
support a collaborative effort to improve school library services
for an increasingly diverse student population in the Dallas
Independent School District.
The Institute of
Museum and Library Services’ Librarians for the 21st
Century grant will support the A-PLUS project, a partnership
between TWU, the DISD and the Universities Center at Dallas.
The project will add 45 new librarians to the DISD over the
course of the three-year grant.
Through the A-PLUS
project, 45 students will complete the alternative district-based
school librarian certification program, then go on to complete
all requirements for the TWU master’s in library science
degree.
The first cohort
of 15 students began training this summer in Dallas. The students
will complete nine hours of graduate coursework from TWU,
with their tuition and fees covered by the grant. DISD specialists
and consultants will provide additional training, with experienced
DISD librarians serving as mentors to the students.
“The A-PLUS
Project is a continuation of TWU’s proud tradition in
training and education for school librarians in Texas,”
said Dr. Ling Hwey Jeng, director of the TWU School of Library
and Information Studies. “It reinforces our commitment
to partnership with the communities we serve.”
Dr. Barbara Lerner,
project director and coordinator of P-16 Initiatives at TWU,
said the university is pleased to be able to build upon its
ongoing association with the Dallas ISD.
“We’re
particularly pleased to be able to address the growing need
in Dallas for trained personnel who can work effectively in
an urban environment and who have multi-language skills,”
she said.
According to the
project overview, Texas schools are projected to add nearly
1.1 million students over the next 40 years, with most of
the increase among non-Anglos. Projections indicate that,
by the year 2040, 66.3 percent of students in public education
will be Hispanic.
The report shows
the disparity between the demographics of the student population
and those of the professional librarian staff. According to
DISD data, 62.6 percent of the district’s students are
Hispanic, and 34 percent has limited English proficiency.
However, only 2.8 percent of current librarians have multi-language
skills.
“A school
librarian is a partner in instruction who can contribute to
the development and learning of students in the school system,”
said Dr. Lerner, adding she’s confident the A-PLUS project
will not only impact individuals from underrepresented communities
who are attracted to librarianship, but also will serve as
a model for partnered, culturally responsive school library
education.
The federal Institute
of Museum and Library Services awarded more than $21 million
in grants to 37 universities, libraries and library organizations
across the country to recruit and educate a new generation
of librarians.
###
For more information contact:
| Jenna Miles |
Dr. Barbara Lerner |
Terry Alegria |
| A-PLUS Project Coordinator |
Coordinator for P- 16 Initiatives |
Library Specialist
Alternative Certification |
| Texas Woman's University |
Texas Woman's University
|
Dallas Independent School District |
| 940-898-2797 |
940-898-2739 |
972-925-6700 |
| |
|
|
| jmiles@mail.twu.edu |
blerner@mail.twu.edu |
talegria@dallasisd.org |
|
