Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- What is a Professional Development School (PDS) ?
- Why have a Professional Development School located right in a school?
- How common are the Professional Development Schools?
- How good are the PDS programs?
- How long will I be in the program?
- What are the benefits for the Interns of the PDS program?
- What are my responsibilites and expectations as an intern?
- How can I apply for the program?
- Will I be a certified teacher at the end of one year?
- Can I get an English Language Learner (ELL) endorsement too?
What is a Professional Development School (PDS) ?
A Professional Development School is
-A collaboration between a school district (at a school site or sites) and a
College of Education for the purpose of:
1. maximizing students' learning and achievement through the development and
implementation of exemplary practice,
2. engaging in sustained, applied reflective inquiry on practice (e.g.,
action research) for the purpose of enhancing exemplary practice and student
achievement,
3. engaging in meaningful, ongoing professional development for school and
university faculty, and
4. preparing effective new teachers for urban schools (AACTE. 1998)
Why have a Professional Development School located right in a school?
WHY, because a PDS program
. contributes to improved teaching practices and student achievement at
the site
� has structured mentoring of interns and promotes teachers' reflection on
practice
� promotes Action Research
� supports the collection and use of data in instructional decision-making
� involves targeted professional development activities
� ensures more one-to-one instructional opportunities for children made
possible with teacher apprentices.
. provides the district with a potential supply of better prepared new
teachers.
How common are the Professional Development Schools?
PDS schools began in 1994. There are now over 1000 PDS sites in the United States.
How good are the PDS programs?
The PDS programs are promoted by the National Education Commission as CHANGE
VECHILES for schools and colleges of education.
How long will I be in the program?
The Madison PDS programs is a one-year program.
It runs from January through December.
What are the benefits for the Interns of the PDS program?
For YOU, as an intern, the benefits are:
-One-Year, Intensive, Program
-Apprenticeship program design that provides real world preparation
-Unrivaled Clinical Preparation
-Close-knit community with mentoring and support
What are my responsibilites and expectations as an intern?
Madison interns are expected to:
1. For the Spring Semester, be at your assigned school all day, every day
Monday through Friday--i.e. 7:30 AM until 6:45 PM (based on when classes are
offered). Given the intensive, one-year teacher preparation schedule, we
discourage outside employment and/or course work. No matter what the
students' outside circumstances, they are expected to be at school on time and
prepared.
2. Dress professionally. In general, this means functional, image-conscious
clothing with an emphasis on moderation.
3. Participate as directed in the duties, activities, and responsibilities of
the Madison teachers. This includes daily school duties, community-related,
and extra-curricular activities.
4. Enact the ASU-CTEL Madison PDS professional teacher characteristics (e.g.,
punctuality, interpersonal communication skills, openness, flexibility) and
proactively pursue development in these areas through a Professional
Development Plan.
5. Become strong reflective practitioners. As part of this, students are
expected to actively conduct action research (spring and fall semesters) and
to dialogue in regular reflective review sessions with cooperating classroom
teachers and ASU-CTEL Madison PDS program coordinators.
How can I apply for the program?
All ASU-CTEL students will be screened before admission into the PDS program.
Screening procedures will include a paper screening of coursework, writing
sample and application as well as participating in an orientation meeting
conducted by the PDS Coordinator and current PDS students. Much of the
screening will focus on the students' commitment to urban education and their
ability and willingness to successfully participate in this hands-on,
intensive, one-calendar-year program.
Will I be a certified teacher at the end of one year?
Yes, after one year, if you complete the coursework, you will be a certified
Arizona teacher.
Can I get an English Language Learner (ELL) endorsement too?
Yes, you can acquire the endorsement through the program.