Memorandum

To:

Ms. Cheree Turner, Heritage Elementary Principal

CC:

Ms. Anitra Morris, Media Specialist

From:
Date:

Martine Robinson, Instructional Technology Graduate

Student
November 15, 2014

Subject:

GA DOE 2011 Library Media Program Evaluation Rubric

The following is a summary of GA DOE 2013 Library Program Evaluation Rubric that Ms.
Morris and I used to evaluate the Heritage Elementary School library. This summary provides a
detailed overview each category and suggestions for improvement where needed.
The rubric consist of five target indicators that include Student achievement Instruction;
Staffing; Facilities, Access, and Resources; Administrative Support; Staff Development.
Overall the media center scored mostly proficient and exemplary, however we found a few areas
that need improvement. Below we have outlined the areas of strength and weakness with an
action plan for moving towards exemplary.
Category 1-Student Achievement and Instruction
The media specialist consistently provides lessons that align with the CCGPS and foster critical
thinking skills. Collaboratively planning opportunities are available weekly for teachers to plan
for diverse student learning. The media center is the hub for the school reading programs. Data
collection is used to drive instruction both in the media center and in class. We suggest that
teachers and the media specialist work closely together create more assessment tools to monitor
the effectiveness of teaching.
Category 2-Staffing
Base size for grades k-5- 450. Heritage has approximately 566 students with a full time media
specialist and a full time media assistant. We are exemplary in the area of media specialist
staffing but only proficient in regards to having a media paraprofessional because she spends an
hour a day in the cafeteria for duty. To move to exemplary, we suggest having both the media
specialist and the paraprofessional are available for the duration of the day without having other
duties.
Category 3- Facilities, Access, and Resources
A major concern is flexible scheduling. The media center is currently operating on a sign up
block schedule which is not in compliance with state guidelines. To become exemplary, a full
implementation of flex scheduling needs to be maintained with participation of teachers and
media staff. Teachers and students need to have full accessibility throughout the school day plus

access before and after school. We can begin by implementing the flexible schedule and
encourage teachers and students to utilize the media center as an information hub/ collaboration
area. Then open access after school Tuesday and Thursday to provide access to the community.
Category 4 Administrative Support
The media specialist and the administration meet regularly to assess the use of the media center
by teachers, budgeting and professional development. The media specialist holds monthly
professional development to each grade level based on their particular needs. The administration
encourages teachers to utilize the resources available in the media center. The Fulton County
School system has developed a comprehensive policy that is used by the media staff for
guidance.
Category 5- Staff Development
The media staff continually strives to enhance their technology skills and seeks opportunities to
pass on that information to the staff. However, in order to move from proficient to exemplary the
media specialist must also use district level and online resources to design curriculum for
individual teacher support and may also assist with facultys graduate research.
It is our hope that these suggestions will be put in place to strengthen the Heritage Elementary
School Media Center.