School Media Specialization: FAQs
The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provide a useful reference.
Please also see the School Media website for more detailed information:
| Competency Checklist Questions |
How many times do I need to fill out the competency checklist?
Students who began the program during or after the Summer 2007 semester are required to fill out and submit the NEW, REVISED competency checklist four times during the course of the program: 1. Baseline: before you begin any coursework; 2. Fieldwork: Before you begin your fieldwork; 3. Practicum II: Before you begin your second practicum; 4. Final: Once you are finished with the program. Students who began the program prior to the Summer 2007 semester are required to fill out and submit the OLD competency checklist five times during the course of the program: 1. Baseline: before you begin any coursework; 2. Fieldwork: Before you begin your fieldwork; 3. Practicum 1: Before you begin your first practicum; 4. Practicum II: Before you begin your second practicum; 5. Final: Once you are finished with the program.
Both the NEW and OLD competency checklists can be found in the SM Forum Learning & Resources Module.
Where do I submit the competency checklist?
Students are now required to submit their competency checklist via the Assignment DropBox in the WebCT School Media Forum.
Where can I get a copy of the competency checklist?
You can obtain a copy of the competency checklist in several places: under School Media Resources in the WebCT School Media Forum, from the School Media website [http://ist.syr.edu/academics/graduate/mls/mediaprogram/curriculum.asp], or by contacting your advisor.
Do I have to include the competencies in my portfolio?
Yes. The final competency checklist should be submitted with your portfolio.
When can I begin Fieldwork?
We require at least one semester of coursework completed before you begin your fieldwork.
How do I complete the 100 hours of fieldwork?
Students are required to satisfy 100 hours of fieldwork experience in K-12 schools (50 hours in an elementary setting, 50 hours in a secondary setting; some experience in urban, suburban, and rural schools). All fieldwork must be achieved through two 50-hour experiences, each completed during the course of a semester. For detailed information, see the School Media website: http://ist.syr.edu/academics/graduate/mls/mediaprogram/curriculum.asp.
What is the process for arranging my fieldwork?
The most important thing you can do before you begin the fieldwork process is to read the Fieldwork Guide. The Fieldwork Guide can be obtained under Fieldwork Resources in the WebCT School Media Forum or by contacting your advisor. The basic steps of the process are: 1. Notify Jean Dwyer, the Fieldwork Coordinator, via email <jdwyer02@twcny.rr.com> or private mail in WebCT to let her know you are beginning the process. 2. Update your Competency Checklist and submit to your advisor. 3. Develop your Fieldwork Project using your Competency Checklist and advice from Jean Dwyer and your advisor. 4. Select the Fieldwork Site and Site Supervisor.
How do I decide what type of project to do?
Students should use their updated competency checklist as a guide for selecting which competencies to address in their fieldwork projects. Once a student has selected which competencies to address in their fieldwork project, they can consult the list of Fieldwork Project Ideas and consult with the Jean Dwyer and their advisor to develop an appropriate project. The list of Fieldwork Project Ideas can be found under Fieldwork Resources in the WebCT School Media Forum or by contacting your advisor.
If I have already worked in a school library, do I still need to complete the fieldwork hours?
Yes. All students enrolled in the School Media Program must complete the 100 fieldwork hours. This is an agreement that the School Media Program has with New York State as part of our accreditation.
What is the process for finding a school media practicum site?
Students are encouraged to meet with faculty and the school media advisor to determine an appropriate site in which to gain valuable insight and skills necessary in the school media profession. The Office of Career Services and Experiential Learning at IST can also provide a list of schools and previous school media supervisors who can serve as contacts when looking for a practica site. It is recommended that the student meet with the School Media Specialist at the prospective sites in order to determine the best fit for the practica.
What's the process for arranging a school media practicum?
The basic steps of the process are: 1. Contact the School of Information Studies Director of Career Services and Experiential Learning to complete appropriate paperwork. 2. Meet with the faculty supervisor to select the practicum site. 3. Meet with the site supervisor to determine the parameters of the practicum. See the Fieldwork and Practica section of this web site for complete details.
If I have already completed my school media coursework at another university, can I do my practica here at Syracuse University?
No, you would have to complete the five core school media courses at Syracuse University before you would qualify to do the practica. This is because Syracuse Universitys School of Information Studies has worked with the New York State Department of Education to design a curriculum that integrates all necessary educational preparation as part of our comprehensive school media program.
If I am a (non-certified) practicing librarian, do I have to take a leave-of-absence from my job to complete the practica?
Most students find a way to arrange the time off to complete their practica. Since this is not only an academic requirement but also a New York State certification requirement, most principals understand the need to do this. Start early, making sure your principal is well informed about everything you will need to get this program done. Take him/her out to lunch. Send him/her weekly emails. Communication is critical and the more your principal knows and understands, the easier it will be for you when it comes time to do fieldwork and practica.
If I am already working as a teacher or teacher's aide in a school, can I complete one of the practica in that building's LMC with the certified SLMS?
This is assuming you would complete the other practicum in a different district and at another educational level. We prefer to have students do their practica in schools that they (or their spouses) do not work in or have children in and, in fact, ask students to find practicum placements outside their communities, as well. If you live in a city, such as Syracuse or Rochester, you may do your practica in that city as long as you don't work in the school or have children there. While these rules may seem inconvenient and oppressive, they are in place to protect you. Under certain circumstances, we have allowed students to do one practicum in their own school but this is a case-by-case decision.
How do I register for my practica (IST 972)?
Because fieldwork hours must be completed before registering for the practicum,
IST 972 School Media Practicum, a Permission to Register for IST 972, signed by the student and academic advisor must be submitted to Jose Tavarez, Graduate Academic Counselor. He will grant you permission to register for IST 972. Students then register on MySlice.
Are we required to submit a complete portfolio at the end of our program?
A portfolio is required at the end of the semester in which you complete your second practica. You may submit a completed portfolio or a detailed outline of the proposed portfolio. The latter option is in response to the end-of-semester crunch and allows you time to be more thoughtful about what to include in your portfolio.
What should I put in the portfolio and what is its purpose?
The portfolio should showcase some of your exemplary work from classes, your fieldwork and practica experiences, and any other relevant work. You can take your portfolio with you on job interviews in order to illustrate your accomplishments to prospective employers. Remember that you may use this in an interview situation so don't include a litany of everything you have ever done. It is best to reflect in your portfolio and your conversation your accomplishments as they relate to the needs of the employer. You should include items that are easily scanned and understood such as a lesson plan, a job aid, an executive summary of a five-year plan, a print out of a web site you have designed or a curriculum map, etc. If you have a longer item like a five-year plan or an instructional unit, include a summary of the document and make the document available, if requested.
What if the interviewers ask to keep my portfolio?
If you don't have another interview scheduled that day, you can leave the portfolio with them for a brief period. Please make sure to give them a finite amount of time, i.e. "I can leave it with you until Friday at 10:00 am" or I can only leave it with you for two days. This gives them a deadline (and indicates that you may have other job interviews).
How should I organize my portfolio?
If you already have your own system, please feel free to use it. Otherwise I suggest organizing it by the seven competency areas. Try to have something for each of the areas but if you don't, just leave that area out and dont worry about it. Be creative and let your personality shine through. Visuals are powerful in portfolios (I always suggest keeping a camera handy during fieldwork, practica, etc.) and don't forget your practicum videos.
| New York State School Media Certification Requirements |
What if I have already received my MLS or MS/LIS, and want to get certified as a School Library Media specialist?
Students who already possess a masters degree in library science from Syracuse University, or another accredited institution, can be certified as school library media specialists by completing the coursework requirements described under our Certificate of Advanced Study in School Media.
What workshops do I need to take and where do I take them?
Students must complete six workshops required by New York State for certification as a library media specialist:
Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting
School Violence Prevention and Intervention
Fire & Arson Prevention
Highway Safety & Traffic Regulations & School Safety Patrols
Child Abduction Prevention
Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Abuse
The Syracuse University School of Education offers FREE, self-paced online workshops through WebCT followed by a FREE exam that MUST be taken at on the Syracuse campus (School of Education, 270 Huntington Hall). For information about access to the workshops and exam dates, please contact Fran Cooney: fcooney@syr.edu ,
315-443-9319. If workshops are taken through SUs School of Education, notice will be automatically made on the students transcript.
These workshops are also given at other locations throughout New York State. Contact your local BOCES for more information.
Where can I get fingerprinted?
Students can be fingerprinted through various sources including BOCES or local fire or police departments.
The staff at the School of Education, Teaching and Leadership Program at Syracuse University are trained to take fingerprints. For a $99.00 fee, payable to the New York State Education Department, students complete a Fingerprint Packet with a consent form, and two fingerprint cards. The School of Education will forward your fingerprints to the State. For more information on fingerprinting, please contact the School of Education, Teaching and Leadership Program at 315-443-1468.
What teachers exams do I need to take?
Students must take three teachers exams as required for professional certification in
New York State:
Language Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)
Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W)
Content Specialty Test (CST) for Library Media Specialists
Note: On the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W) exam, you are offered the option of taking the Elementary or Secondary ATS-W. You are allowed to choose one or the other.
When should these exams be taken?
All exams should be taken before you apply for State Certification
When and where are the exams administered?
Tests are offered several times each year at a variety of test sites in NYS, and at one site in Puerto Rico in April, May and September. Some tests are administered in some other states in April/May and on U.S. military bases worldwide. See the NYSTCE Registration Bulletin (www.nystce.nesinc.com) for specific information on locations, special testing accommodations, and registration procedures.
How can I prepare for these exams?
Preparation Guides are available for all NYSTCE exams. They contain content outlines for exams, sample questions and advice on how to prepare for the exams. See the NYSTCE Registration Bulletin (www.nystce.nesinc.com) for forms to order the guides.
What is a "Passing" score on these exams?
LAST 220
ATS-W 220
CST 220
If I don't pass the test on the first try, how often may I retake it?
There is no restriction on the number of times the exams may be taken. You may continue to take them until you receive a passing score.
What if I already hold a valid teaching certificate from another state?
Candidates who possess a certificate from a state that is party to the Interstate Certification Compact may be issued a conditional certificate valid for two years, to allow the candidates time to meet New York States testing requirement. Visit the Office of Teaching Initiatives Web site at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert.
Do I have to bring a set of my fingerprints to the examination site?
No, thumbprints are taken at the test site as part of the identification verification process. Individuals who do not allow thumbprints to be taken may be denied admission to the test or their scores may be voided without refund or credit.
How do I register?
The NYSTCE Registration Bulletin contains the registration form. Copies of the NYSTCE Registration Bulletin may be obtained from most NYS teacher education institutions, National Evaluation Systems (NES) at National Evaluation Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004, Phone: 413-256-2881 or 1-800-309-5225 or are available online at www.nystce.nesinc.com. You may also register for the exams online.
Why are education courses no longer required?
Syracuse University School of Information Studies has worked with the New York State Department of Education to design a curriculum that integrates all necessary educational preparation as part of our comprehensive school media program. At the completion of this program all requirements for NYS certification will be satisfied.
Will there be any jobs when I graduate?
It is estimated that 50% of New York State school library media specialists will retire in the next five years and that there will be as many as 20,000 job openings throughout the United States. Therefore it's a buyers market--enjoy it while you can!
Is there a listserv for school media jobs in the central New York area?
The Office of Career Services and Experiential Learning in IST posts school media positions to the Schools School Media listserv (SCHMEDIA).
How do I find out about jobs?
Here are a few different ideas:
* Subscribe to the SCHMEDIA listserv. Many local and national jobs are listed here.
* Subscribe to LM-Net. Sometimes jobs are listed
* Subscribe to LIBJOBS
* Read your local paper
* Contact your local school administrations and BOCES school library systems and send them your resume. Sometimes vacancies are sudden and you would have a current resume already on file
* Attend the Annual Teachers Recruitment Day, at SUNY Cortland (a joint effort through Syracuse University and other school and colleges)
* Upon completion of an internship, the site supervisor may be able to assist you in determining opportunities within the school district or provide contact information for other school media professionals who can be helpful in the job search.
What is a credentials file?
The School of Education at Syracuse University offers a service for maintaining students credentials file, which contains copies of your letters of recommendations, materials from your portfolio and transcripts. A credentials file allows you to send copies of your records from a central location instead of asking your professor or former employer to write a letter each time you interview or apply for a job (this is annoying and time-consuming for both of you).
To establish a credentials file, you must contact SU's School of Education [http://soeweb.syr.edu/Academic/acadserv_carnet.html]. They have the necessary forms and will send out the pertinent files each time you request them. There is a modest fee for this service. Also included in this fee is a subscription to the Education Career Services Newsletter that advertises education positions.
Syracuse Universitys Center for Career Services will also provide a credentials file service for students. 315-443-3616
Does SU sponsor any job fairs?
For those of you on campus, in the spring there is the Annual Teachers Recruitment Day, at SUNY Cortland (a joint effort through Syracuse University and other school and colleges). Representatives from school systems across the country come to find teachers and library media specialists. Professional attire is recommended. Bring a professional resume and speak with the representatives from the school districts that interest you (the representatives are located at booths throughout the auditorium). You will most likely be interviewed at that time) Colleges around the country host job fairs at various times during the academic year. Contact your local college(s) for information.