What is a Professional Development School?
Professional Development Schools (PDS) are devoted to improving student learning. The preparation of teacher candidates, professional development for practicing teachers, and research helps all students learn. Students benefit because the knowledge, skills, and resources of both university and school are focused on meeting their needs. Students also benefit from teacher interns, mentor teachers, and university faculty who play active roles in the PDS setting.
 
PDS partnerships have a four-fold mission:

1. the preparation of new teachers,
2. faculty development,
3. inquiry directed at the improvement of practice, and
4. enhanced student achievement.

 

Photo by Yan Krukau

National Association for School-University Partnerships

NASUP advances the education profession by providing leadership, advocacy, and support to create and sustain school-university partnerships such as Professional Development Schools to function as learning communities to  improve student learning, prepare educators through clinical practice, engage in reciprocal professional learning, and conduct shared inquiry.

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