GUIDELINES FOR SHORT TERM

AUTHORIZATIONS FOR K-8 LIBRARIAN POSITIONS - 06/2010

The Chicago Public Schools Department of Libraries and Information Services promulgates the following guidelines to: (1) outline the circumstances that will be considered when making decisions regarding the issuance of short term authorizations for elementary / middle grades librarian positions; (2) describe the procedures that must be followed to submit a short term authorization request; and (3) outline the expectations that Chicago Public Schools (“CPS”) will maintain for schools teachers holding short term authorizations.

The short term authorization is a temporary extension of time that will be reviewed annually. It serves as a good faith allowance of additional time for schools with extenuating circumstances, as outlined below, to reach compliance.

I.  DEFINITIONS

For purposes of these guidelines, the following definitions shall apply:

  1. Short Term Authorization: Allows librarian staffing of a properly certified but non-endorsed teacher who is enrolled in library/media endorsement coursework and has completed at least nine semester hours toward the endorsement.
  2. Endorsed or endorsement: For purposes of this guideline, a teacher endorsed in library/media includes a teacher holding the Type 10 Library Information Specialist certification.

II. CONSIDERATIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR ESTABLISHING A SHORT TERM AUTHORIZATION

A short term authorization is issued to a teacher lacking the complete endorsement in library/media, and will permit an elementary or middle school to assign that teacher to a library position based on the following guidelines:

·  teacher is currently employed by the district or was in the immediately preceding school year, and holds the appropriate teaching certification for the grade levels served;

·  teacher has completed 8 semester hours of coursework that will count towards the endorsement; and

·  teacher has signed a Letter of Intent (FORM C) that certifies that they will complete the endorsement, provides a list of coursework to be completed and identifies the institution of higher learning where they will complete the requirements

Complete Form C with documentation of the required 8 hours of library science coursework. You may submit the copy of an official transcript, a grade report, online view of your transcript or evidence that you are registered for courses. An official transcript is not required.Your principal should complete and sign Form B. All documents should be submitted together.Fax to the Department of Libraries at 553-6211.

Schools do not require a waiver for teachers on short term authorization; however, school administrators must submit the Notification of Short Term Authorization (FORM B below) along with a copy of the Librarian Letter of Intent (FORM C) document to the Department of Libraries and Information Services.

Notification of Short Term Authorization

for Elementary or Middle Grades Librarian Position

(Please complete all fields)

School: ______/ Unit #: ______/ Network: ______
Employee
ID Number / Teacher Name / Position Number / Certification Held / Grade Levels
Served

I have reviewed the guidelines for short term authorization with the teacher identified above. We have discussed the endorsement requirements necessary for being assigned to a librarian teaching position. I understand that as the principal, it is my responsibility to monitor this teacher’s annual progress towards the completion of the endorsement requirements. If the above teacher has not secured his/her ISBE issued endorsement within two years of approval of this short term authorization, he/she will be removed from the librarian position until such endorsement is obtained. A Letter of Intent completed by this teacher is attached.

Principal’s Signature______Date ______

Principal’s Name (printed) ______


LIBRARIAN SHORT TERM AUTHORIZATION

LETTER OF INTENT

(Please complete all fields)

Date: ______

Librarian’s Name: ______

School/Network: ______

Department of Libraries and Information Services

Attn: Dorsey Chambers

320 N. Elizabeth St. #406

Chicago, IL 60607

GSR #38

To the Department of Libraries and Information Services:

This letter is to inform you that I, ______, will complete all requirements for the library/media endorsement. Below I am identifying the university I am attending as well as the courses I must complete to qualify for the endorsement. I certify that I have already completed 8 semester hours towards the endorsement.

University: ______

Courses I must complete:

I acknowledge that this letter of intent will be used primarily for tracking/reporting purposes and it does not serve as a binding agreement for continued employment with Chicago Public Schools. I understand that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) determines the applicability of courses towards an endorsement, thus CPS will operate under the assumption that I have been advised of my course deficiencies. Furthermore, I understand that it is my responsibility to secure the ISBE issued endorsement upon completion of coursework within two years of the approval of this short term authorization request.

Sincerely,

______

Signature