Vision Statement

We exist to inquire, create new knowledge, share knowledge, participate productively, and pursue personal and organizational growth.

Standards for the 21st-Century Learner Websites    

AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner

Standards for the 21st-Century Learner offer vision for teaching and learning to both guide and beckon our profession as education leaders. They will both shape the library program and serve as a tool for library media specialists to use to shape the learning of students in the school. 

Common Beliefs

The learning standards begin by defining nine foundational common beliefs:

• Reading is a window to the world.
• Inquiry provides a framework for learning.
• Ethical behavior in the use of information must be taught.
• Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs. 
• Equitable access is a key component for education.
• The definition of information literacy has become more complex as resources and technologies have changed.
• The continuing expansion of information demands that all individuals acquire the thinking skills that will enable them to learn on their own.
• Learning has a social context.
• School libraries are essential to the development of learning skills.

The Standards

The Standards describe how learners use skills, resources, and tools to

1. inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge;
2. draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge;
3. share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society;
4. pursue personal and aesthetic growth.

Learners Bill of Rights (PDF)

FAQs about AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner

In October of 2007, AASL released its Standards for the 21st Century Learner.  Since that time, AASL has received a number of questions regarding these learning standards.

Other 21st Century Skills Websites

• Council on 21st Century Learning
• enGauge 21st Century Skills: Literacy in the Digital Age (PDF)

     North Central Regional Education Laboratory (NCREL)

• International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
• ISTE – SIGMS Compares the NETS and AASL Standards
• National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS)
• NEA and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills
• The Partnership for 21st Century Skills

Blogs

AASL Blog

The official web log of the American Association of School Librarians.  The mission of the AASL Blog is to provide a focused and flexible format for providing information about programs, conferences, projects, resources, and activities of interest to AASL members and others in the K-12 library media community. 

CASL Blog

Colorado Association of School Librarians – CASL (Calling All School Librarians) 

Nings

• AASL 2.0 Task Force Ning
• Teacher Librarian Ning
• Elementary School Librarian Ning
• Middle School Librarian Ning
• High School Librarian Ning

View the Colorado State Library's Standards page at www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/Standards.htm.

 For additional information, contact Nance Nassar, nassar_n@cde.state.co.us, 303-866-6772.