Janice L. Nath – författare

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 book examines the ways in which PDSs build cultural competence for various stakeholders including pre-service teachers, classroom teachers, school leaders, college faculty, and K-12 students. Given the increased national attention on the opportunity gap present in underserved marginalized communities across the country, the authors in this series identify a combination of research-based practices and institutional changes that increase student attainment and develop educators’ capacity to serve a range of diverse learners. We are certain the timeliness of the topic will provide educators with context for understanding the role PDSs play in the creation of culturally responsive schools.

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.

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.