In this issue: 65% Rule Published in the Texas Register

The Texas Education Agency’s proposed draft of the 65% rule has now been published in the Texas Register. The proposed rule, which requires districts to direct a minimum of 65% of expenditures to direction instructional activities, includes Function Code 12 expenses (which covers librarians) as eligible.

To view the published rule, go to the Texas Register site at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/sos/PROPOSED/19.EDUCATION.html#49. The earliest possible adoption date for the rule is May 21.

CALL TO ACTION I

Library supporters are urged to respond to the rule by commenting that the inclusion of school libraries and librarians represents a positive and needed statement about the role of school libraries in the education process. Comments on the proposal may be submitted electronically to rules@tea.state.tx.us; faxed to (512) 463-0028; or submitted to Cristina De La Fuente-Valadez, Policy Coordination Division, Texas Education Agency, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 475-1497.

Talking Points

1. Any state definition of direct instructional activities should include school library programs, and the proposed rule does indeed recognize the importance of school library programs in helping students achieve academically.
2. As study after study has shown, quality school library programs help students achieve up to 10% higher on standardized reading tests. The Commissioner and TEA staff should be commended for including school library programs as vital instructional components in education.
3. Certified school librarians are teachers, and libraries are classrooms. Students use library resources to meet curriculum requirements, and librarians teach students reading, research skills, and information literacy every day of every school week. The proposed rule represents good public policy in its inclusion of school library programs as a component of direct instructional activities.

CALL TO ACTION II

TLA is grateful to Commissioner Neeley and TEA staff for recognizing the important role of school librarians in delivering direct instruction to students. The library position in this effort has been directly focused on the issue of a state definition of classroom instruction. Our message is very straightforward: ANY definition of direct instruction in Texas needs to include school librarians.

To send a letter of thanks to Dr. Neeley for recognizing the importance of school library programs, write to: Dr. Shirley Neeley, Commissioner of Education, Texas Education Agency, 1701 N. Congress, Austin, TX 78701.

For additional background information, go to: http://www.txla.org/pubs/texline/index.html.