School Library Media Specialists for the 21^st Century: Leaders Educated to Make a Difference

What is Project LEAD?

Project LEAD is a program at the Florida State College of Information whose goal is to offer graduate education opportunities focused on leadership for school library media specialists. The project's objectives are to teach an online curriculum that integrates the tenets of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and to increase the probability that candidates will qualify for National Board Certification in library media.

The programs include a 12-credit leadership certificate that can be taken within the master's degree, a post-master's leadership certificate, or a 30 credit specialist degree focusing on leadership.

• Master's Degree Option
• Specialist Degree Option
• Post-Master's Certificate Option

Why get National Board Certification?

• Professional excellence in achieving the highest credential in the profession.
• Ability to move among states and work without having to meet individual state certification requirements.
• Financial incentives that can be as much as $10,000 a year for ten years.
• Increased self-confidence in leadership abilities.

Why Leadership?

• According to the national school library guidelines, Information Power, leadership is an essential characteristic for school library media specialists
• According to research carried out by Keith Curry Lance and others, students score higher on achievement tests in schools where school library media specialists are leaders.

Why FSU?

• FSU is the only program in the nation with a focus on leadership for school library media specialists.
• The school media program is ranked in the top 5 in the nation.
• The program is completely online so can be taken from the convenience of your home.