Toolkit

Implementation Plan
The implementation plan for Standards for the 21st-Century Learner and Empowering
Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs will assist all those responsible
for student learning as they work toward the vision and goals of the learning standards
and program guidelines. The plan leverages past success and current efforts
as well as proposing new ventures that take advantage of the current climate in
education and society.
Brand Positioning
The brand “Learning4Life” or “L4L” is designed to help people remember that
school library programs and school librarians contribute to formal school-based
learning and to learning throughout a lifetime. Use of the number four echoes and
reinforces the four standards and the four strands under each standard (the skills,
dispositions in action, responsibilities, and self-assessment strategies) in AASL’s
Standards for the 21st-Century Learner. The branding also reinforces to the target
audiences how school librarians are in a unique position to assist teachers and teach
students essential 21st-century skills and literacies that will prepare learners for a
lifetime of success.
Goals and Key Components
The goal of the implementation plan is to first build awareness of the AASL learning
standards and program guidelines, and then develop an understanding and commitment
to them. Ultimately, the goal is to create a shared vision with stakeholders
and constituents—a vision in which priority is given to aligning the AASL learning
standards to the curriculum and providing the necessary resources and conditions
for full integration. And Learning4Life is the brand that symbolizes this vision and
the awareness, understanding, and commitment that will make the vision reality.
Guiding principles include building a common vocabulary and message and
realizing that “one size does not fit all.” Target audiences (internal and external) are
identified. Included are: a communication plan; a plan for continuous feedback,
evaluation, and sustainability; a plan for endorsements and support; and supporting
documents. The plan includes eighteen objectives that, for each objective, define
the role and responsibilities of AASL, state affiliates, educators of school librarians,
district supervisors, and building-level school librarians.
Stakeholder Responsibilities
Building awareness and support for the new learning standards and program guidelines
must be developed incrementally over time. Our efforts to advocate for the
learning standards are not self-promoting; these efforts are about reaching our target
audiences and addressing their needs for educational success. We will communicate
our plan with respect for audience members’ passion, point of view, interests,
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