Irma N. Guadarrama - Böcker

The collection of papers in this volume have a combined synergy that exudes a sense of hope and confidence that our progress in the Professional Development Schools research movement has been substantial and vibrant, even though some would argue that the strides are not enough nor fast enough to make a significant difference. However, no one can argue the fact that our efforts are indeed crucial to the improvement of education for all students and in that sense, Professional Development Schools Research is definitely on track.

The collection of papers in this volume have a combined synergy that exudes a sense of hope and confidence that our progress in the Professional Development Schools research movement has been substantial and vibrant, even though some would argue that the strides are not enough nor fast enough to make a significant difference. However, no one can argue the fact that our efforts are indeed crucial to the improvement of education for all students and in that sense, Professional Development Schools Research is definitely on track.

The need for strengthening the connections between university-based teacher education programs and schools has never been greater in an era where standards and accountability systems often play centric roles in practically all aspects of the education field. Within this context, university educators and school practitioners have increasingly focused their attention on how professional development schools produce the multiplicity of outcomes that address the exigencies of quality programs for educating teachers and improving school achievement. In keeping with the mission of producing a collection of papers that inform, enlighten, and motivate readers, Volume 3 of the Professional Development Schools book series provides practitioners and researchers with articles on a substantial variety of themes on the most recent developments of the field. Among the thematic threads that organize Volume 3 are 1) using the national standards to examine and evaluate PDSs; 2) implementation, development and leadership issues relevant to beginning and experienced PDSs; 3) using innovative means for student assessments and mentoring in preservice education within a PDS context; 4) the impact of PDSs on teacher education and student achievement; and 5) cases of PDSs and the value of lessons learned. Volume 3 is similar to the previous two volumes in that it includes both practitioner and researcher strands, however, the authors in the current volume carry a sense of maturity and exudes a tone of confidence in their voice. Professional development schools research is an important aspect of teacher education. The collection of articles in Volume 3 contribute to our understanding of their essential qualities and offer assurance that innovation, change, and quality are building blocks in professional development schools.

The need for strengthening the connections between university-based teacher education programs and schools has never been greater in an era where standards and accountability systems often play centric roles in practically all aspects of the education field. Within this context, university educators and school practitioners have increasingly focused their attention on how professional development schools produce the multiplicity of outcomes that address the exigencies of quality programs for educating teachers and improving school achievement. In keeping with the mission of producing a collection of papers that inform, enlighten, and motivate readers, Volume 3 of the Professional Development Schools book series provides practitioners and researchers with articles on a substantial variety of themes on the most recent developments of the field. Among the thematic threads that organize Volume 3 are 1) using the national standards to examine and evaluate PDSs; 2) implementation, development and leadership issues relevant to beginning and experienced PDSs; 3) using innovative means for student assessments and mentoring in preservice education within a PDS context; 4) the impact of PDSs on teacher education and student achievement; and 5) cases of PDSs and the value of lessons learned. Volume 3 is similar to the previous two volumes in that it includes both practitioner and researcher strands, however, the authors in the current volume carry a sense of maturity and exudes a tone of confidence in their voice. Professional development schools research is an important aspect of teacher education. The collection of articles in Volume 3 contribute to our understanding of their essential qualities and offer assurance that innovation, change, and quality are building blocks in professional development schools.

Investigating University-School Partnerships: A Volume in Professional Development School Research, the fourth book in the PDS Research Series developed by the same editors, includes a collection of organized papers that represent the best and latest examples of practitioner thinking, research, and program design and evaluation in the field at the national level. A wide variety of authors from the professional community of PDS researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders engage the reader in research or case studies that foreground real-life, authentic contexts, which, in turn, are designed to generate and fashion more questions and ideas. The volume’s contents of 26 chapters is divided into five areas: (1) PDS Evaluation (2) Teacher Research and Inquiry, (3) PDS Stakeholders’ Studies, (4) Studies for Thought – Ideas for Development, and (5) Teaching Content Areas in PDSs. As a whole, the volume of papers maintains a consistency within a cohesive undercurrent that illustrates the spirited and visionary purpose of professional development schools to advance educational reform that leads to substantive change.

Investigating University-School Partnerships: A Volume in Professional Development School Research, the fourth book in the PDS Research Series developed by the same editors, includes a collection of organized papers that represent the best and latest examples of practitioner thinking, research, and program design and evaluation in the field at the national level. A wide variety of authors from the professional community of PDS researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders engage the reader in research or case studies that foreground real-life, authentic contexts, which, in turn, are designed to generate and fashion more questions and ideas. The volume’s contents of 26 chapters is divided into five areas: (1) PDS Evaluation (2) Teacher Research and Inquiry, (3) PDS Stakeholders’ Studies, (4) Studies for Thought – Ideas for Development, and (5) Teaching Content Areas in PDSs. As a whole, the volume of papers maintains a consistency within a cohesive undercurrent that illustrates the spirited and visionary purpose of professional development schools to advance educational reform that leads to substantive change.

In keeping with the tradition set forth in volumes 1-4, this fifth volume, Creating Visions for University- School Partnerships: A Volume in Professional Development School Research, continues to exemplify current thinking of practitioners and researchers in the field. The range of authors from the Prek-16 arena illustrates the ways in which professional development schools generate possible solutions to the complex problems facing educators. The diversity of their work represents perspectives of classroom teachers, preservice teachers, school leaders, and university faculty who grapple with identifying 'ways of knowing' and 'ways of doing' that enhance educational outcomes for Prek-12 students while also serving to transform the profession. The volume’s contents of 19 chapters divided into four areas: (1) Clinically Rich Practices (2) PDS Stakeholders’ Perspectives (3) Enriching Content Area Instruction (4) Family Engagement, gives us a more vivid picture of the work that partnerships are doing to fulfill the PDS promise for improving teaching and learning at every level.

In keeping with the tradition set forth in volumes 1-4, this fifth volume, Creating Visions for University- School Partnerships: A Volume in Professional Development School Research, continues to exemplify current thinking of practitioners and researchers in the field. The range of authors from the Prek-16 arena illustrates the ways in which professional development schools generate possible solutions to the complex problems facing educators. The diversity of their work represents perspectives of classroom teachers, preservice teachers, school leaders, and university faculty who grapple with identifying 'ways of knowing' and 'ways of doing' that enhance educational outcomes for Prek-12 students while also serving to transform the profession. The volume’s contents of 19 chapters divided into four areas: (1) Clinically Rich Practices (2) PDS Stakeholders’ Perspectives (3) Enriching Content Area Instruction (4) Family Engagement, gives us a more vivid picture of the work that partnerships are doing to fulfill the PDS promise for improving teaching and learning at every level.

This volume in the Research in Professional Development Schools book series considers the role professional development schools (PDSs) play in expanding opportunities for linking research and clinical practice. As in past volumes of this series, PDS practitioners and researchers make a compelling case for the power of micro-level initiatives to change practice. Contributors share ideas to expand PDS work beyond site-specific contexts to include a broader macro-level agenda for clinical practice. Authors hope to inspire large scale PDS reform through replication of successful initiatives featured in this volume. Evoking change is not easy. Nonetheless, series editors and contributors conclude that PDSs generate a critical mass of PK–16 educators willing to form partnerships to address enduring educational dilemmas.This volume represents a cross section of PDS stakeholders engaged in research along with innovative projects that uncover the richness of clinical practice. Higher education faculty, school practitioners, and preservice teachers featured in these chapters explore the ways PDSs deepen clinical practice while enriching teaching and learning. We begin with the discussion by Beebe, Stunkard, and Nath on the National Association for Professional Development School’s (NAPDS’s) role to support teacher candidates’ clinical practice through the cooperative efforts of university and school-based personnel. The authors explain NAPDS’ history and advocacy over the years to promote a context for schooluniversity partnerships to thrive and expand. As the premier association guiding the work of collaborative P–12/higher education partnerships, we welcome the insightful perspectives provided.

This volume in the Research in Professional Development Schools book series considers the role professional development schools (PDSs) play in expanding opportunities for linking research and clinical practice. As in past volumes of this series, PDS practitioners and researchers make a compelling case for the power of micro-level initiatives to change practice. Contributors share ideas to expand PDS work beyond site-specific contexts to include a broader macro-level agenda for clinical practice. Authors hope to inspire large scale PDS reform through replication of successful initiatives featured in this volume. Evoking change is not easy. Nonetheless, series editors and contributors conclude that PDSs generate a critical mass of PK–16 educators willing to form partnerships to address enduring educational dilemmas.This volume represents a cross section of PDS stakeholders engaged in research along with innovative projects that uncover the richness of clinical practice. Higher education faculty, school practitioners, and preservice teachers featured in these chapters explore the ways PDSs deepen clinical practice while enriching teaching and learning. We begin with the discussion by Beebe, Stunkard, and Nath on the National Association for Professional Development School’s (NAPDS’s) role to support teacher candidates’ clinical practice through the cooperative efforts of university and school-based personnel. The authors explain NAPDS’ history and advocacy over the years to promote a context for schooluniversity partnerships to thrive and expand. As the premier association guiding the work of collaborative P–12/higher education partnerships, we welcome the insightful perspectives provided.

This text is divided into four parts: exploring theoretical paradigms in design, development and enactment of PDSs; standard-based teacher education and PDSs; best practices profiles of PDSs that advance understanding of research in the field; and toward a research agenda that strengthens PDSs.