[LM_NET] ALA-accredited vs. non-accredited programs

[Ruth V Small <drruth@SYR.EDU>]

Hi LM_Neters,
I would like to provide some additional information and some
clarification to some of the statements about ALA-accredited schools
that have been posted on this listserv. Before I do, I'd like to state
that it is absolutely true that well-qualified, successful school
library media specialists have graduated from both ALA-accredited
programs and programs affiliated with Schools of Education. 

However, there likely were some qualitative differences between these
programs. 

1. Not all stand-alone, ALA-accredited schools start with "School of
Library..." In fact, more and more of them now use the word
"Information," such as School of Information Studies or School of
Information because their focus is much broader than just
libraries---they focus on the roles of information professionals, no
matter where they work. This provides their students with a very
different perspective on their chosen profession.

2. Many of these ALA-accredited information schools are now part of the
iSchool movement that is sweeping the U.S. These iSchools attract
students who are studying to be librarians of all types including
digital, database managers, information policymakers, telecommunications
managers, Web designers, information technologists, researchers, etc.
and, through their academic programs, they have opportunities to work
and study together. As a result, they often come away with a much
broader and richer understanding of the field.

3. Schools like U. of Chicago and Columbia were closed, but one of the
main, underlying reasons for their demise was that they did not make the
transition from thinking of themselves as simply a "library school" to
the vision of being an "information school." While these two schools
were once among the most distinguished in the country, they ceased to be
relevant. As a result, their universities no longer saw them as central
to their mission. 

4. While some are small, many iSchools are as large and sometimes larger
than many other schools on their campuses, including schools of
education.

5. While courses in accredited and non-accredited institutions may have
the same general content, the breadth and diversity of courses offered
and backgrounds of faculty teaching them are likely to be greater in the
accredited schools. 

6. Some school districts, particularly the most competitive ones, DO
care about where their school librarian candidates received their
degree. Some districts will accept only candidates from ALA-accredited
schools.

7. Several of the ALA-accredited schools' most distinguished faculty
hold PhD's in instructional design, educational technology and teacher
education and bring their knowledge and skills to the classroom. Their
school library media students are well-prepared to face the challenges
as teachers, instructional partners, and information specialists.

8. The nationally-ranked schools (U.S. News & World Report) are
ALA-accredited.

9. There is a significant fee for participation in the accreditation
process. Also, it takes many months, sometimes even years, to prepare
the documents ALA requires to be presented to the accreditation team. It
is a lengthy and thorough process.

I hope this information is useful.

Ruth V. Small, Ph.D.
Laura J. & L. Douglas Meredith Professor
Director, School Media Program
Director, Center for Digital Literacy
School of Information Studies
Syracuse University
340 Hinds Hall
Syracuse, New York 13244-4100
(315) 443-4511/6144; (315) 443-6886 (fax)
drruth@syr.edu
http://ischool.syr.edu/facstaff/facultymember.asp?id=29





--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------