Educational Media Specialist PK to 12 For Testing Beginning 7/1/2026

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Competencies and Skills and Blueprint

The test design below describes general testing information. The blueprints that follow provide a detailed outline that explains the competencies and skills that this test measures.

Test Design

table describing the format of the test, including test time, number of questions, and required passing score
Format Computer-based test (CBT)
Number of Questions Approximately 80 multiple-choice questions
Time 2 hours and 30 minutes
Passing Score A scaled score of at least 200

 

Competencies, Skills, and Approximate Percentages of Questions

Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.



table describing the competencies, skills, and approximate percentage of each competency's weight toward overall test score
Competency Approximate Percentage of Total Test Questions
1 Knowledge of strategies for instruction and collaboration 13%
2 Knowledge of methods of administration, management, and evaluation of a school library media program 16%
3 Knowledge of collection and resource management of the school library media program's materials 15%
4 Knowledge of ways to develop a schoolwide literature-driven environment 15%
5 Knowledge of design and management methods for a student-centered, accessible, school library media center environment 13%
6 Knowledge of professional roles, responsibilities, and leadership opportunities 8%
7 Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and principles related to school library media programs 12%
8 Knowledge of school-based outreach methods and collaboration 8%

Competencies and Skills

Competency 1—Knowledge of strategies for instruction and collaboration

  1. Identify and apply state guidelines for information and media literacy skills and best practices for working with all students to meet specific learning and information needs.

  2. Identify components of the instructional planning process and determine methods for keeping current with changes in instructional materials and for collaborating with staff on instructional planning, including as a member of the instructional planning team.

  3. Determine activities for developing students' ability to inquire, think critically, draw conclusions, make informed decisions, and acquire knowledge and for helping students analyze, evaluate, and apply information to new situations to create new knowledge.

  4. Determine appropriate digital resources, media formats, and technologies for supporting inquiry-based and literature-based instruction and acquisition of information literacy skills.

  5. Analyze and apply methods of inquiry-based instruction to promote students' acquisition of information literacy skills.

Competency 2—Knowledge of methods of administration, management, and evaluation of a school library media program

  1. Evaluate methods for effectively planning, preparing, and administering a school library media program's budget based on both the academic needs of the learning community and the program's short- and long-term goals.

  2. Determine strategies for effectively communicating the school library media program's budget needs while collaboratively reviewing budget requests with the school administration and for identifying potential sources of financial support, such as fundraisers, grants, and state and federal funds.

  3. Identify key research pertaining to the school library media program and ways in which research can be applied to the school library media program.

  4. Identify components, participants, and strategies needed for comprehensive evaluation of the school library media program's impact on student learning outcomes and achievement.

  5. Identify and apply techniques for planning, designing, and evaluating media resources and presentations to meet a specific instructional need and to complete a variety of information and media literacy tasks, including presenting and sharing information.

  6. Determine methods and strategies for collecting, analyzing, and evaluating data to plan and implement modifications to the school library media program and for using the data to prepare effective written reports that present the findings to the school and local community.

Competency 3—Knowledge of collection and resource management of the school library media program's materials

  1. Identify components and terminology of the acquisitions process and the characteristics of a collection development plan.

  2. Identify the fields of a bibliographic record and user-friendly, standardized techniques for organizing, processing, and storing collection materials.

  3. Identify and apply tools for evaluating, selecting, and weeding print and digital resources and library materials on an ongoing basis to meet the specific needs of the learning community and adhere to the Florida Statutes and State Board of Education rules.

  4. Determine elements of and methods for analyzing and using the data provided by an automated school library management system and purposes of and procedures for conducting a collection inventory.

  5. Determine methods for ensuring that the collection meets the academic needs of the instructional program reflecting all learners while being age and developmentally appropriate.

Competency 4—Knowledge of ways to develop a schoolwide literature-driven environment

  1. Select and apply strategies for developing activities that support and integrate literature into the instructional program across content areas for large groups, small groups, and individuals to support academic needs, encourage reading for pleasure, and meet individual students' interests.

  2. Determine strategies for developing a school library media program that fosters a schoolwide culture of inquiry, independent reading, and lifelong learning and for implementing schoolwide programs and events that facilitate reading motivation.

  3. Identify and analyze instructional methods and strategies for helping students select books at an appropriate grade and complexity level and for developing students' reading skills, including comprehension, and content area vocabulary knowledge.

Competency 5—Knowledge of design and management methods for a student-centered, accessible, school library media center environment

  1. Analyze factors that influence widespread access to information and the school library media center's resources and services, including the capability to access online resources at school and home, and strategies for facilitating access to local, district, community, and state resources.

  2. Identify the elements of an effective school library media facility that are ADA-compliant, including the use of adaptive or assistive technology for providing learning opportunities for students with various abilities, and ways to integrate appropriate technology for all learners into the instructional program.

  3. Determine factors that create a positive school library media center for all learners, including a visually appealing atmosphere, workspaces, and a variety of flexible seating configurations.

  4. Identify and analyze various scheduling models that provide maximum access to the school library media center throughout the day.

  5. Identify and analyze the characteristics of an effective system for organizing information resources to meet the needs of all students and staff, including directional signage.

Competency 6—Knowledge of professional roles, responsibilities, and leadership opportunities

  1. Determine ways to utilize school library media professional associations and resources and to expand professional involvement in the school and community, such as mentoring, leading workshops, and participating in conferences.

  2. Identify and apply strategies for planning and implementing professional learning activities and for assessing the effectiveness of professional learning to ensure its ongoing benefit.

  3. Identify roles prescribed by state and national organizations to facilitate leadership in the library media program.

Competency 7—Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and principles related to school library media programs

  1. Identify ways to integrate the school library media program into the school improvement plan to ensure alignment with the school's mission and learning goals and state requirements (e.g., collection development, literacy leadership).

  2. Distinguish between a policy and a procedure and identify impacts of district-approved policies and procedures on school library media programs.

  3. Identify and apply responsible use of information, citation methods, artificial intelligence assistance, and copyright laws, including legal and ethical behaviors for all learners, when using information and technology (e.g., copyright or plagiarism issues).

  4. Identify and apply federal and state laws and State Board of Education rules relating to acceptable use policies for computers, school networks, and electronic devices; and courses of action related to the principles of digital citizenship.

Competency 8—Knowledge of school-based outreach methods and collaboration

  1. Identify and analyze ways to plan and implement family involvement activities to promote relationships between the school library media program and the learning community.

  2. Identify and analyze ways to use technology and other strategies for communication with administration and the learning community for promotion of the school library media program.

  3. Evaluate considerations for participation in ongoing, collaborative resource sharing with other libraries within school districts to provide resources to the local community.