DLA

DLA Pass SB 195 – NEW UPDATE!

UPDATE: 8/26/2022

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UPDATE: 1/20/22

DLA is excited to announce that SB195 passed in the Senate today with a 14 Yes / 7 No vote. We were happy to see that the amendment text to add school librarians into the bill was unanimously approved. DLA will continue to work with Senator McBride on ensuring passage of this bill through the House.

As a reminder, SB195 requires the Department of Education to develop and maintain evidence-based media literacy standards for public and charter K-12 schools. According to the bill, the “standards and materials must be age-appropriate and must address appropriate, responsible, and healthy online behavior.” DLA has worked closely with Sen. Sarah McBride, the bill sponsor, to amend the bill to include both certified school librarians and the Delaware State Librarian as people the Department may consult for technical expertise regarding the media literacy standards.

Special thanks to Senator McBride and John Chrastka with EveryLibrary for their work on the bill. Thank you to all of those who signed the petition and shared information about the bill.

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The Delaware Library Association has voted to endorse SB 195, a bill to create a new Media Literacy Standard in public schools. We are asking all DLA members and library stakeholders in Delaware to ask their members of the state Senate to Pass SB 195  and send it to the House. Please go to https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/passsb195delaware to learn more and to send your message to your state Senator today. 

SB 195 requires the Department of Education to develop and maintain evidence-based media literacy standards for public and charter K-12 schools. According to the bill, the “standards and materials must be age-appropriate and must address appropriate, responsible, and healthy online behavior.” DLA has worked closely with Sen. Sarah McBride, the bill sponsor, to amend the bill to include both certified school librarians and the Delaware State Librarian as people the Department may consult for technical expertise regarding the media literacy standards. It is especially important to DLA that school librarians be involved in the bill and we appreciate Sen. McBride for making this friendly amendment. 

Today, we are launching a statewide outreach campaign in partnership with EveryLibrary to ask DLA members, school library stakeholders, and residents all across Delaware to contact their state Senators and pass the bill. We know that media literacy skills prepare students to make informed civic decisions that affect them, their families, their communities, and the world. Please help us make this a reality in Delaware by sending your own message at https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/passsb195delaware today.