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 Professional Development Schools

The vision of the Association is to serve as an advocate for the educational community that is dedicated to promoting the continuous development of collaborative school/higher education/ community relationships and to create and sustain genuine collaborative partnerships between P-12 and higher education.

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Professional Development Schools

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOLS

BRADLEY UNIVERSITY, ILLINOIS