Library Curriculum

ASD Library Standards, Benchmarks, and Indicators

Standard D: A student should be aware of the freedom to seek information and possess the confidence to pursue information needs beyond immediately available sources.

Benchmark 1: Know how to access information through local, national and international sources in printed and electronic formats

Performance Indicators

K

Primary (Grades 1-3)

1. Uses an automated database (Grade 3)
2. Uses online resources geared to primary students

Intermediate (Grades 4-6)

1. Reviews and expands Primary Performance Indicators as appropriate
2. Accesses and navigates online databases
3. Locates information in magazines and newspapers
4. Utilizes the interlibrary loan process and access other library catalogs

Middle School (Grades 7-8)

1. Reviews and expands Primary and Intermediate Performance Indicators as appropriate
2. Recognizes and utilizes interlibrary loan processes from various kinds of libraries
3. Accesses the municipal library and university catalogs online
4. Selects multiple print and non-print sources using various search strategies

High School (Grades 9-12)

1. Reviews and expands all Performance Indicators as appropriate from Primary, Intermediate and Middle School
2. Uses ILL effectively
3. Expands beyond traditional sources to use interviews, videos and specialty libraries to access information
4. Searches effectively online
5. Demonstrates effective use of databases

Benchmark 2: Recognize the importance of access to information and ideas in a democratic society

Performance Indicators

K

1. Selects books according to individual interests

Primary (Grades 1-3)

1. Reviews and expands K Performance Indicator
2. Recognizes that individuals have different interests in reading selections

Intermediate (Grades 4-6)

1. Reviews and expands K and Primary Performance Indicators as appropriate
2. Shows an understanding of censorship, filters and other forms of restricted access
3. Shows an understanding of freedom of speech issues and internet safety

Middle School (Grades 7-8)

1. Reviews and expands K, Primary and Intermediate Performance Indicators as appropriate
2. Locates information about forms of democracy
3. Shows an understanding of censorship, freedom of speech and intellectual freedom issues

High School (Grades 9-12)

1. Reviews and expands all Performance Indicators as appropriate from K, Primary, Intermediate and Middle School
2. Has the ability to verbalize the importance of access to information and ideas as critical to the functioning of a democratic society
3. Understands how censorship impacts a democratic society

Benchmark 3: Access information on local, state, national and world cultures and issues

Performance Indicators

K

1. Recognizes stories from other cultures
2. Participates in activities that represent a variety of cultures

Primary (Grades 1-3)

1. Reviews and expands K Performance Indicators as appropriate
2. Locates a variety of sources to learn about the diversity of people, places and ideas

Intermediate (Grades 4-6)

1. Reviews and expands K and Primary Performance Indicators as appropriate
2. Recognizes that information about local, state, national and world cultures can be found in resources in and beyond the library
3. Identifies aspects of other cultures and contrasts them with their own

Middle School (Grades 7-8)

1. Reviews and expands K, Primary and Intermediate Performance Indicators as appropriate
2. Expands knowledge of official resources of local, state, national and international departments and agencies

High School (Grades 9-12)

1. Reviews and expands all Performance Indicators as appropriate from K, Primary, Intermediate and Middle School
2. Can express both sides of local or national issues and is able to make a personal choice
3. Effectively uses the Internet to search for accurate and balanced information on cultures and countries
4. Seeks sources representing a variety of contexts, perspectives, cultures and evaluates usefulness

Benchmark 4: Evaluate information representing diverse views in order to make informed decisions

Performance Indicators

K

Primary (Grades 1-3)

1. Reviews and expands K Performance Indicators as appropriate
2. Determines differences between fact and opinion

Intermediate (Grades 4-6)

1. Reviews and expands K and Primary Performance Indicators as appropriate
2. Compares and contrasts same topic on different Web sites or print resources
3. Evaluates the usefulness of information based on credibility of author or source
4. Uses copyright date and sources to help evaluate material’s relevancy
5. Identifies characters that have different views in a discussion setting

Middle School (Grades 7-8)

1. Reviews and expands K, Primary and Intermediate Performance Indicators as appropriate
2. Seeks sources for diverse perspectives
3. Recognizes points of view or bias
4. Evaluates sources to determine relevancy to information need
5. Recognizes stereotypes in various media
6. Uses primary and secondary sources effectively

High School (Grades 9-12)

1. Reviews and expands all Performance Indicators as appropriate from K, Primary, Intermediate and Middle School
2. Develops the ability to evaluate the bias, accuracy, currency, relevancy, balance, stereotyping of various media
3. Justifies the use of a particular media and how it relates to their information need

Benchmark 5: Assimilate and understand how newly acquired information relates to oneself and others

Performance Indicators

K

Primary (Grades 1-3)

1. Makes self to text connections

Intermediate (Grades 4-6)

1. Reviews and expands Primary Performance Indicator as appropriate
2. Reads and discusses materials with current/historical issues (homelessness, immigration, civil rights, etc.)

Middle School (Grades 7-8)

1. Reviews and expands Primary and Intermediate Performance Indicators as appropriate
2. Identifies other points of view from information and can restate them
3. Evaluates quality and quantity of information to determine usefulness

High School (Grades 9-12)

1. Reviews and expands Primary, Intermediate and Middle School Performance Indicators as appropriate
2. Recognizes and reflects that exposure to different perspectives enhances one’s own world view