A "10% solution" to systematic coordination of university collaborations with local schools involves a decentralized approach with incentives and a focus for coordination. The overall effect is that the institution lays out no additional cash, redirects funds to support coordination, and intensifies and focuses scattered efforts for…

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…

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)

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…

Reports case studies of 10 partnerships in middle school level professional development schools that either moved apart or reconfigured their relationships over time. Written materials from, interviews with, and observations of partners indicated that though most succeeded, they needed better communication between partners to maximize their…

This booklet outlines key principles that ideally characterize partnership governance structures and processes in professional development school (PDS) settings, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the various decision making structures and processes currently employed by PDS partnerships. The booklet provides a self-assessment tool for…

This handbook, a companion to "Standards for Professional Development Schools," describes an assessment process for Professional Development School (PDS) participants, specifically for PDS standards, developed during 3 years of a field test. The assessment process is intended to support the continued development of PDS partnerships and…

This booklet is designed to help Professional Development School (PDS) planners and implementers who seek guidance in designing and carrying out impact documentation. It can also help students, researchers, and policymakers interested in investigating PDS effectiveness. The booklet offers a conceptual framework for conducting impact documentation,…

Data from a descriptive study of the impact of professional development school (PDS) involvement on teacher preparation at three Massachusetts colleges is related to three themes: uniqueness of PDS-related techniques, approaches, and philosophy; mechanism and spread of these techniques, approaches, and philosophy; and signs of institutionalization…

Describes and analyzes an ambitious project in which a state education department instigated, facilitated, and "jump-started" the formation of professional development school partnerships between middle schools and teacher preparation institutions. Provides a case summary and explores the options available to a state department of…

One of five articles in the second section "Deepening Relationships through PDS Brings Change in Practice," this article details some of the hard-to-discuss problems that occur in professional development school partnerships, suggesting that discussion cases can help facilitate communication. A sample discussion case is presented, with suggestions…

This paper examines the issues that emerged in the first six months of a collaborative program initiated by the Massachusetts State Department of Education for simultaneously developing or improving middle school teacher preparation programs and restructuring middle schools. The literature on interorganizational collaboration provides a framework…

The first part of this article looks at new roles and responsibilities for teachers, and how they develop from the mission and goals of the professional development school (PDS). The second part examines how experienced and preservice teachers are being prepared and supported for these new roles, and explores implications for schools,…

Investigates the impact of involvement with professional development schools (PDS's) on how colleges prepare teachers, following several partnerships longitudinally. The paper examines how changes in teacher education have resulted from PDS involvement, discusses the question of institutionalization of PDSs, and describes the potential for PDSs to…