Teacher helping a student with other students at their desks in the background

Professional Development School

School of Education

What is a Professional Development School?

Professional development schools (PDSs) are innovative institutions formed through partnerships between professional education programs and P–12 schools. PDS partnerships have a four-fold mission:

  • the preparation of new teachers,
  • faculty development,
  • inquiry directed at the improvement of practice, and
  • enhanced student achievement.

PDSs improve both the quality of teaching and student learning.

Our Professional Development school partners play an important role in the education of our teacher candidates.