What are the mission and beliefs of our PDS?

The mission of the Auburn University/Auburn City Schools Professional Development System is to foster collaboration among educators, students, candidates, parents/guardians, and other stakeholders.

The Professional Development System is an ongoing council designed to foster collaboration and partnerships between Auburn University’s College of Education and Auburn City Schools. Collaboration typically involves university faculty and students working with P-12 teachers and their students.

We believe in:

• Life-long learning, community. Education is the keystone of opportunity and equity in a richly diverse, increasingly technological and ever-changing world.

• Engagement. Education is an active partnership among all stakeholders.

• Collaboration. Student achievement/candidate performance is enhanced by collaboration.

• Diversity. There is value in a diverse learning community.

• Accountability. Regular review of practice and analysis of collected data guide continuous improvement.

• Learn by doing. PDS partners learn best in the context of practice.

• Research. Relevant action research should be conducted and serve as a driving force for change in our professional practices.

• Communication. Effective communication is a vital part of the PDS partnership.

• Equity. Providing equal learning opportunities is essential in meeting educational needs.

PDS partners are competent, committed and reflective life-long learners.

Auburn City Schools855 East Samford Avenue

Auburn, AL 36830

334.887.2100

www.auburnschools.org

Professional Education Services3464 Haley Center

Auburn University

Auburn, AL 36849

334.844.4448

education.auburn.edu

www.auburn.edu

Fall 2009©2009, Auburn University College of Education

Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.

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What is our PDS governance structure?

The PDS Council is made up of representatives from each department in the college; administrators and teachers from Auburn City Schools; and community leaders; under the auspices of the dean of the College of Education and superintendent of Auburn City Schools. The council approves and guides the implementation of the annual strategic plan, which documents and charts direction for the PDS. A selected representative from the college and Auburn City Schools are given release time to work on PDS matters.

See the PDS Web site: www.auburnschools.org/PDS

What does it mean to be a PDS?

According to the National Association of Professional

Development Schools:

1. A comprehensive mission that is broader in its outreach and scope

than the mission of any partner and that furthers the education profession and

its responsibility to advance equity within schools and, by potential extension, the broader community

2. A school-university culture commited to the preparation of future educators that embraces their active engagement in the school community

3. Ongoing and reciprocal development for all participants guided by need

4. A shared commitment to innovative and reflective practice by all participants

5. Engagement in and public sharing of the results of deliberate investigation of practice by respective participants

6. An articultation agreement developed by the respective participants delineating the roles and responsibilities of all involved

7. A structure that allows all participants a forum for ongoing governance, reflection and collaboration

8. Work by college/university faculty and P-12 faculty in formal roles across institutional settings

9. Dedicated and shared resources and formal rewards and recognition structures

What are some systemic initiatives in our PDS?

• TEAM-Math

• Leadership Capacity Building Program

• Persistent Issues in History Network

• Auburn University Autism Center

• Collaborative Teacher Summer Learning Clinic

• Sun Belt Writing Project

• Auburn Early Education Center

• Academic and Behavior Support Training

• Summer Reading Recovery Program

• Program Assessment

What ongoing programs support teacher and candidate development?

• Project REACH (diversity training)

• Professor-teacher exchanges

• Elementary teacher graduate cohorts

• School-based methods courses

• First grade reading project

• School-based Summer autism program

• Early Childhood and Elementary cluster internships

• Physical education collaboration

How does the PDS share its work and research with others?

The PDS is affiliated with the National Association for Professional Development Schools and the Holmes Partnership.

Teachers, professors and administrators share collaborative programming and research at regional and national conferences for these two organizations.

For more information, please visit napds.org and www.holmespartnership.org.

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