Competency-Based Education for School Library Media Specialists.

The professional preparation of school library media specialists at Syracuse University uses a competency-based approach. Assumptions about competency-based education are stated and its limitations for graduate level training are explored. The integration of a competency-based media specialist program and the more theoretical general graduate program requires constant vigilance. SINCE 1976, Syracuse University has been involved in the continuing development of a competency-based program for school media specialists.1 This joint program bridges two different schools on campus - the School of Education through its program in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation and the School of Information Studies. In neither school is the media specialist program the major thrust. In neither school is there a primary commitment to competency-based education or to the school library media specialist program. A basic premise is that the media specialist program should be integrated into both schools as completely as possible so that it can draw strength from the ongoing intellectual thrust of the schools and also so that the media program can contribute its unique approach in a mutually beneficial relationship.