Library Media Specialists = Higher school test scores

Week 2 of our Emerging Technologies class is just finishing. We've started working on Blogs (as you can see from this one). Our discussions have been numerous! Some of the subjects have included the school librarian advocating his/her position to show the relevance of a Library Media Specialist in public schools. There is so much research on the benefits of an active library on successful academics scores. For example, http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6536665.html?industryid=47071 an article from the School Library Journal gives preliminary research by Professor Ruth Small from the Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies showing a 10 point difference in ELA test scores among fourth grader who had a certified library media specialist. Here's another report from Scholastic Library publishing; http://librarypublishing.scholastic.com/content/stores/LibraryStore/pages/images/slw_06.pdf

Ok, I suppose the School Library Journal would be a bit biased. The National Center for Educational statistics through the U.S. Department of Education also has a report from a 2002 study with the same conclusions. http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2005/2005302.pdf
So why, with all this research, are school libaries considered secondary to a school curriculum? Why are Library Media specialists being replaced with library media aides or just completely eliminated? Some say it's because LMS don't have direct daily contact with students.
Here is a great site http://www.youngphillypolitics.com/topics/librarians
Take the time to read the comment section of this report. It's very interesting!