The National Network for Educational Renewal (NNER) has established partner schools in 13 states as part of the Professional Development School (PDS) approach simultaneously to renew schools and teacher education through cooperative programs between institutions of higher education and local school districts. Joint responsibility, on the part of…

The Memphis State University professional development school (PDS) model was designed to enhance teacher empowerment along certain dimensions of teacher empowerment cited in the literature: mentoring self-efficacy, teaching self-efficacy, professional knowledge, and collegiality. This PDS model contains three components: supervision of practice…

This paper describes the initial stages and activities associated with establishing professional development school (PDS) partnerships. Efforts to formulate working groups to develop PDSs began in 1987, and this discussion shares reflections on three years' work. PDSs generally begin when members of the college of education and local school…

Since 1988, teacher surveys and interviews have been conducted in the 24 professional development schools (PDS) in Jefferson County (Kentucky) Public Schools to document teachers' attitudes toward efficacy and empowerment and toward their schools' learning climate. The 1990-1991 survey results show that teachers seem to have positive opinions of…

This digest provides an overview of a new institution, the professional development school (PDS), and of its place in improving public schooling. The PDS is the result of a collaboration between universities and local school districts. In recent years, the literature has suggested that public schools as they exist today cannot adequately prepare…

The purpose of this paper is to: (1) discuss the requisite financial and organizational components of partner schools or professional development schools; and (2) identify structures and processes which will allow these schools to contribute to the simultaneous reconstruction and renewal of the public schools in which teachers work and the…

Recent studies on school improvement have urged the formation of partnerships between public schools and universities to better prepare teachers for the nation's schools, and have suggested that this alliance would encourage reform in public schools and universities. One area of emphasis in this suggested reform network is the creation of clinical…

This study investigated how four teacher educators, who were collaborating with school-based partners to reconceptualize the portion of the teacher education curriculum traditionally delivered in the university methods courses, approached course reconceptualization. Data from interviews with the teacher educators highlighted four themes: learning…

This paper discusses the evolving Professional Development School (PDS) partnership between the University of Alabama and Holt High School by illuminating an interdisciplinary civil rights unit developed by school- and university-based faculty. The study investigated how using young adult literature affected students' perspectives during the unit…

This study compared preservice teachers' perceptions of their changing philosophies of education, comparing the reports of graduates from traditional, university-based programs with reports of graduates from intensive field-based programs. For eight semesters, teacher education graduates received a program evaluation survey in the mail 2 weeks…

Examines how general education interns and mentors can use collaborative teaching in professional development school settings. Focusing on special education literature on collaboration, the paper discusses the use of complementary, parallel, station, alternative, and team teaching. Examples of how these models work in elementary and secondary…

Describes a mentoring project involving a university teacher educator and three elementary teachers. Examines what they learned about the power of focused observation, writing, and practice-centered talk to promote teacher learning. Journal excerpts show the project's progress and reflect concerns participants had as they determined how to work…

One of five articles in the section on the "Promise and Purpose of Professional Development Schools," this article examines the six propositions originally put forth for professional development schools (PDS) by the Holmes Group (1990) in "Tomorrow's School." The paper recommends revisiting the six propositions in terms of…

One of four articles in the third section, "Reflection: What We Have Learned," this article describes one university's journey from a traditional teacher education program to one that included professional development schools (PDS). Presents six key elements that helped make the journey successful. (SM)

Explores a redefinition of student teaching in art education with three examples of collaboration between classroom teachers and college art educators. Finds that collaborative methods are useful in the organization of student-teacher programs but that problems arise from time constraints. (CFR)