Information Skills

In January 1997 a committee of system-level media coordinators/directors, school-based library media coordinators, representatives from institutions of higher education and classroom teachers was established to update and revise the 1992 Information Skills K-12 Standard Course of Study. The committee conducted an evaluation of the 1992 Information Skills Curriculum document and determined the need for revision. The committee developed a survey and disseminated 2500 surveys to get direct input from media supervisors and school-based library media coordinators. Survey results were compiled and reviewed by the committee who formulated a first draft. This first draft document was distributed among Instructional Services consultants for review and comment. In addition, the Information Skills committee met with various Instructional Services content area specialists to get input and help with integrating subject area concepts into the Information Skills document.

From March 1997 through January 1999, versions of the Information Skills K-12 draft have been shared with focus groups at educational conferences, regional and local meetings all across the state. Following focus group sessions, results were reviewed by the committee and appropriate changes made. Focus group sessions were conducted at the following conferences:
· North Carolina Educational Technology Conference - December 1996 1997, and 1998
· North Carolina Association for Educational Communications & Technology Conference - March 1997, 1998, and 1999
· East Carolina University Teaching and Technology Conference - April 1997
· North Carolina Middle Schools Association Conference - March 1998

In addition, an update of the curriculum development process and copies of the draft have been shared with attendees at media supervisors'/media coordinators' meetings in February and July 1998. Media supervisors around the state shared various versions of the draft during district level meetings.

In November 1998 members of the Information Skills Curriculum Committee carefully reviewed input from focus group sessions and compared the document to the newly revised Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning. The language of the draft was refined and a complete draft was assembled. The Draft Information Skills K-12 document were mailed to district level media/technology leaders, and school-based media coordinators, and community stakeholders in January 1999, along with a request for feedback from school personnel. Draft materials were also posted on the Instructional Services News, Information and Resources webpage to solicit feedback.

In January 1999 four public hearings were conducted:
· Greenville
· Charlotte
· Waynesville
· Raleigh

The Information Skills Curriculum Committee met on January 22, 1999 to review results of public hearings and the written comments and to finalize the draft document. The draft was presented to the North Carolina State Board of Education in April for Information. At this time Board members felt that the technology component should be more clearly stated. A focus group was conducted to determine how the document should be revised. The document was revised to reflect input from the focus group. The Information Skills K-12 Standard Course of Study was approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education on May 6, 1999. THANK YOU TO THE INFORMATION SKILLS REVISION COMMITTEE AND ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE REVISION PROCESS.