This article describes a collaborative partnership between universities and schools designed to facilitate the work of both special and general educators instructing students at risk of reading failure. It discusses how teachers integrated this professional development in early literacy into teaching practices, and describes instructional…

Examines the process of creating formalized partnerships between public schools and colleges, using data from experiences establishing such partnerships. The paper addresses how an agenda of mutual benefit to both parties is established and implemented; discusses how partners are identified; describes negotiations about the scope of the work; and…

Responds to an article that examined 10 dichotomies in teacher education (SP 527 128), suggesting that too much time and energy are spent debating false dichotomies and addressing two specific dichotomies (preservice versus inservice and campus versus school site). Recommends that professional educators pool their energy and collaborate (rather…

Reports on the impact of being in a Professional Development Schools network on seven Utah schools (four elementary, one junior, and two high schools) over five years. Identifies and analyzes the catalysts that promoted teachers' professional development and school reform, as well as the road blocks to effective reform. (SR)

Discusses the challenges in assessing Professional Development School (PDS) impacts, noting examples of assessments from the literature. The paper outlines a conceptual framework for assessment and explains how it may help organize more systematic thinking about PDS evaluation. Examples from a multisite case study demonstrate how one consortium of…

Compared Professional Development School (PDS) and non-PDS graduates regarding retention in teaching, teaching effectiveness, and perceptions of professional preparation. Surveys of beginning teachers and principals found no differences in teacher retention. Principals rated PDS graduates higher in some aspects of teaching effectiveness. PDS…

Speculates on the future of Professional Development Schools (PDSs), examining: the Holmes Group's beginning vision of PDSs; PDS progress; persistent problems; the vision of learning and learning to teach; the role of the university at large; the structures of schools and PDSs; teachers' roles; recent enabling trends; and a primary purpose for…

This article identifies the roots of the Professional Development School movement, examining its current focal areas and focusing on some of the challenges it faces in sustaining itself in the future and in meeting its potential as a reform strategy to bring about real change for students, educators, and future educators. (SM)

The field of early childhood education has traditionally struggled to be viewed as a profession. Recent public attention on the importance of the early years in creating a foundation for later learning success has led to a focus on improving education for young children. One aspect of educational reform and renewal--Professional Development…

In this article, the author discusses her varied reactions to Larry Cuban's most recent book, "How Scholars Trumped Teachers," which discusses 100 years of discussions resulting from the tension between research and teaching responsibilities of scholars at Stanford University. The article begins with a brief description of Cuban's analysis, which…

This article provides the details about the Parent Support Program (PSP), a program developed by the educators at Trinity University and Jackson Middle School in San Antonio to increase parent involvement while providing authentic experiences for preservice teachers and school psychology students. The PSP began with a teacher at Jackson Middle…

This three-part guide presents information and recommendations from the Massachusetts Professional Development School Network Steering Committee on how to develop a professional development school (PDS) partnership. Part 1 defines the PDS concept, presents a brief background account of its evolution, and discusses its potential for simultaneously…

Professional-development schools are collaborations between universities and public schools to improve the nation's teaching force. Prospective teachers are assigned to K-12 schools for formal instruction, planned experiences in classrooms, and mentoring from master teachers. This paper presents findings of a qualitative study that described the…

This study surveyed college faculty about the establishment of professional development schools (PDSs) to raise the status of teaching as a profession and transform teacher education. A total of 58 faculty attending a conference sponsored by the Holmes Group Initiative on the development and implementation of PDSs completed a survey on the…

This paper addresses four questions about Professional Development Schools (PDSs). Regarding question 1, "What do we know?", there are approximately 1,035 P-12 schools designated as PDSs in 47 states. Research indicates that the PDSs help bridge the gap between university- and school-based educators. They also help practicing teachers…