Presenter: Name: Laura Hicks and Cherity Pennington

Program Description
Presented by the co-chairs of the AASL Standards Committee, this session offers an in-depth look at the research and development process for the newly released 2nd edition of the National School Library Standards. Attendees will gain insight into where school librarians currently stand in terms of standards implementation, based on recent data and research.

We’ll share key research findings that directly informed the revision process—highlighting both challenges and opportunities identified across the field. Participants will learn how these insights shaped high-level decisions in the new edition, with practical implications for advancing school library practice in a dynamic educational landscape.

This session complements the October Knowledge Quest blog post on standards R&D—Evolving Standards for an Evolving Profession: Introducing the Second Edition of the National School Library Standards—and will point attendees to additional research resources. We’ll also preview related sessions and resources available onsite in St. Louis to support further exploration and professional growth.