School Library Specialization at Maryland's iSchool Receives National Recognition from NCATE
College Park, MD (February 27, 2013)-- The School Library specialization of the University of Maryland's College of Information
Studies, Maryland's iSchool, recently received national recognition from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). This honor places the Master of Library Science (MLS) program among only a handful that hold accreditation from both
the American Library Association (ALA) and national recognition of its School Library specialization from NCATE.
"The School Library program at Maryland's iSchool prepares students to fulfill the five roles of the contemporary school librarian as leader, teacher, instructional
partner, information specialist, and program administrator," says Ann Carlson Weeks, associate dean for academic programs. "National recognition from NCATE signifies that the coursework has met the ALA/AASL standards for the preparation of school librarians
as part of the NCATE accreditation process."
The School Library curriculum was reviewed as part of NCATE's rigorous accreditation process of the College of Education. Within the iSchool, this process was led
by Mega Subramaniam, assistant professor; Ann Carlson Weeks; and Sheri Massey, lecturer and assistant director of the School Library specialization; and assisted by June Ahn, assistant professor, Bruce Ambacher, visiting professor; and Master of Library Science
and School Library specialization student, Emily Likins-Hohman. Faculty and staff from the College of Education worked closely with the iSchool faculty throughout this multi-year
effort.
Founded in 1954, NCATE is recognized by the U. S. Department of Education as a specialized accrediting body for schools, colleges, and departments of education.
NCATE and the Teacher Education
Accreditation Council (TEAC) have consolidated and are now transitioning into the Council for the
Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
About Maryland’s iSchool
The College of Information Studies, Maryland's iSchool, empowers people, organizations and society to use information effectively through its research and undergraduate, graduate and professional
programs. Maryland's iSchool enables students and faculty to create new ways for people to connect with information that will transform society and is ideally located in the information capital of the world- the Washington DC metro region. The iSchool is transforming
itself as well, from a small college with a strong foundation in library and information studies programs to a fast-growing and groundbreaking center of expertise that will help people manage the information explosion from childhood to adulthood.
For more information, visit www.ischool.umd.edu.
Mary Carroll-Mason
Communications Coordinator
College of Information Studies, Maryland's iSchool
University of Maryland
4105J Hornbake Building
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-1260
Twitter: @I_UMD