The role of the mentor is critical to the success of Professional Development Schools (PDS) programs. In her analysis of 20 case studies on the collaborative processes involved in PDS programs, Rice (2002) identified 12 themes as being important to the success of the PDS; nearly half of these focused on the mentor teacher and his or her capacity…

Just upstairs from an exhibit on African culture at the American Museum of Natural History, Robert V. Steiner sits in front of his laptop computer and clicks on an "interactive animation" that illustrates the concept of frames of reference. On the screen, a glowing basketball bounces up and down against a black background. After watching…

Teacher researchers in a Professional Development School context identify two important shifts in traditional school cultures in order for teacher inquiry to thrive as a means for teacher development: a shift to community and a shift to uncertainty. PDS teachers in this study spoke about their need for supportive learning communities where they…

This study investigated the impact of a Professional Development School (PDS) on student learning by comparing student achievement in a PDS and a control school. Student achievement data were collected from an elementary PDS and a matched control school over a 6-year period. The results indicate that the PDS moved more students up to mastery level…

If professional learning communities offer opportunities for improving the teaching and learning process, then developing strong professional development school (PDS) partnerships establish an appropriate framework for that purpose. PDS partnerships, however, can be less than effective without proper planning and discussion about the aims of those…

What constitutes good teaching is discussed in connection with the Holmes Group proposals for differentiated staffing. Professional development schools that support good teaching and good teacher education are recommended. (Author/MT)

This paper describes the difficult task of performing a critical evaluation of a Professional Development School (PDS). The paper notes the often contradictory opinions of the stakeholders in regard to acceptable conceptual models and the tensions involved. The description is a result of active participation in PDS related activities, document…

The Socorro Independent School District is one of the fastest growing districts in Texas. In response to the complex issue of a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse student population, poverty, and shrinking pool of educational leader candidates, the district launched an Assistant Principals Academy, designed to prepare individuals to step…

A study described and evaluated the Early Literacy Learning Initiative (ELLI), a collaborative effort between individual schools and school districts and the Ohio State University. The overall goal of ELLI is to significantly raise the level of literacy achievement of kindergarten, first, and second grade students by implementing instructional…

A study described and evaluated the Literacy Collaborative, a collaborative effort between individual schools and school districts and the Ohio State University. The overall goal of the Literacy Collaborative is to significantly raise the level of literacy achievement of kindergarten, first, and second grade students by implementing instructional…

This report describes the Literacy Collaborative, which provides long-term professional development and support for teachers who are helping children learn effective literacy skills. The overall goal is to significantly raise the level of literacy achievement for children across the elementary years. The first two sections of the report describe…

This article discusses barriers to collaboration that are specific to Professional Development School (PDS) leadership team meetings. It offers a rationale for involving the school psychologist on the PDS team as a facilitator and concludes with suggestions for breaking the barriers to successful PDS leadership team meetings. (SM)

Discusses challenges associated with the creation of professional development school (PDS) sites according to goals set by the Holmes Group on excellence in teacher education, and examines assumptions for guiding site development and goals for PDSs to meet. (SM)

Montclair State College (MSC) and its clinical schools network have been selected as a pilot site working toward implementation of Goodlad's teacher education reform agenda. This article discusses the manner and degree to which the MSC program currently reflects some of the critical thinking-related issues which Goodlad raises. (IAH)

Strengthening relationships between public schools and higher education through school/university partnerships is one strategy to improve education. This paper describes Auburn University's work with Professional Development Schools, focusing on how they formed the learning coalition, initiated the process of collaboration, and created structural…