Various approaches to the professional development school (PDS)--each designed for its respective audience, mission, and purpose for engagement--have shaped the professional development school effort during the past 25 years. Central to these approaches is improving teacher quality in the service of student learning. This provides direction for…

The professional development school (PDS) is a model of choice for many teacher preparation programs. This approach integrates the functions of teacher preparation, professional development, inquiry and research, and student achievement to bring about whole-school improvement and the simultaneous renewal of the teaching profession. Ideally,…

Describes how the College of Education at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville initiated partner school relationships with three local school districts, outlines partnership activities, presents partnership research projects, and discusses future initiatives, including establishment of a professional development school. (IAH)

One of five articles on professional development schools in this theme issue. Describes the establishment of a professional development school reflecting Holmes Group principles by the University of Utah/Salt Lake City School District partnership. Discusses several dilemmas, including: didactic versus constructivist views of teaching and learning,…

Both the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future and the Holmes Group suggest that the solution to improving student learning is through formal university-school collaborations, or Professional Development Schools (PDSs). As the research base on PDS partnerships grows, so does the evidence that PDSs improve the quality of teaching in…

This paper describes the development and operation of two professional development schools (PDS) by the School of Education at Baylor University. These schools were organized to develop and demonstrate: (1) high quality learning programs for diverse students; (2) practical, thought-provoking preparation for novice teachers; (3) new understandings…

Four major elements were critical in the creation of the Chula Vista Professional Development School (CVPDS), a joint venture of Chula Vista City Schools (California) and San Diego State University: strong central figures in the university and public schools; powerful, well presented ideas; inclusion of key university and public school figures…

Universities and schools differ in their orientations toward the role of reflectivity and activity in collaborative restructuring efforts. This article describes and compares three models of school-university partnerships in relation to factors that may affect the balance of reflectivity needed for successful collaboration. (Author/IAH)

This book addresses three questions: Is the partner school concept a passing fad? What do educators need to know in order to initiate a partnership and a partner school? What can we anticipate, with regard to costs and benefits, from partner schools in the future? After an introductory chapter, "Understanding School-University…

This paper describes the goals, planning, governance, faculty roles, faculty development, and research activities at two professional development schools (PDSs) affiliated with Armstrong State College (Georgia). The college launched PDS partnerships with White Bluff Elementary School and Bartlett Middle School in September 1993. The roles of…

Through professional development schools (PDSs), the College of Education at Texas Tech University has attempted to link school and teacher education renewal with research. In 1990, the university and Lubbock Independent School District initiated PDSs at a junior high school and an elementary school. Three additional PDS sites have been initiated…