Every Student Succeeds Act to Boost Libraries

Felix Davila III
CA
Peet, L., & Vercelletto, C. (2016). ESSA signed into law. Library Journal, 141(1), 12-14. Retrieved from http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lih&AN=112018050&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Peet and Vercelletto’s article primarily details a new law that was signed by the Obama administration in late 2015. The Every Student Succeeds Act will allow states to determine their own standards for education, so long as they reach a preset difficulty standard, while also allowing federal funding to be distributed to school libraries.

While brief, this article derives its importance, in my opinion, by showing how political action can factor into the success of libraries. Overall, librarians must also consider, beyond just their effectiveness at work, how they can positively impact the industry toward improving itself toward better funding, opportunities and employment. It is a law such as this that can send a message to school districts that school libraries should be looked upon with importance.