What are the purposes of the programs included in the School and Library Improvement Program?

The purposes of the programs included in the School and Library Improvement Program are as follows:

School Library Materials.  The purpose of the School Library Materials program is to provide funding for library resources including books, periodicals, microforms, audio-visual materials, computer software, CD ROMs, and equipment necessary to provide access to library resources within the school library and from online sources.

School Improvement Programs.  The purpose of School Improvement Programs is for elementary, intermediate, and secondary schools to improve instruction, services, and school environment and organization according to school site plans developed by school site councils.  Education Code Section 52015 lists a broad range of activities and required components of the school site plan, including:

• Curricula, instructional strategies, and materials that enable all pupils to do all of the following:
• Make continuous progress and learn at a rate appropriate to their abilities
• Master basic skills in language development and reading, writing and mathematics
• Develop knowledge and skills in other aspects of the curriculum, such as arts and humanities; physical, natural and social sciences; multicultural education; physical, emotional and mental health; consumer economics; and career education
• Pursue educational interests and develop esteem for self and others, personal and social responsibility, critical thinking and independent judgment
• Instructional and auxiliary services to meet the special needs of pupils of limited-English proficiency, educationally disadvantaged pupils, and pupils with exceptional abilities or needs
• Staff development programs for teachers, other school personnel, and paraprofessionals
• Improvement of the classroom and school environments, including improvement of relationships between and among pupils, school personnel, parents, and the community, and reduction of the incidence among pupils of violence and vandalism
• Other school improvement activities approved by the school site council
• The proposed expenditure of allowances provided to support the School Improvement Program
• Ongoing evaluation and modification of the school improvement plan by the council, based on information regarding:
• The degree to which the school is meeting its improvement objectives as assessed by parents, teacher, other school personnel and pupils
• Pupil achievement
• Improved school environment as measured by indicators such as the incidence among pupils of absenteeism, suspension, expulsion, and dropouts and the incidence and costs of school violence, vandalism, and theft of school or private property while participating in school activities; pupil attitudes toward school, self, and others; incidence of absenteeism, resignations and requests for transfers among teachers and other school personnel; and satisfaction of teachers, pupils, parents, administrators, and other school personnel with school services and decision-making processes
• The degree to which fiscal expenditures meet the criteria of the school improvement plan
• Improvement of pupil attendance, including parent awareness of the importance of regular school attendance