University and School Connections: Research Studies in Professional Development Schools (Hc)

Marc Notes: Avail. in paper; Includes bibliographical references. Publisher Marketing: A volume in Research in Professional Development Schools Series Editors: Irma N. Guadarrama, University of Houston, John M. Ramsey, University of Houston and Janice L. Nath, University of Houston-Downtown 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. Contributor Bio:  Nath, Janice L Dr. Janice L. Nath serves as a University of Houston--Downtown faculty member in the Department of Urban Education. She served as the Coordinator for Elementary Education, Director of the PUMA TRACS Program for Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification, and Assistant Director of the Internship Program; and headed a Professional Development School (PDS) site for many years at the university. She has been actively involved in field-based teacher education for many years, formerly serving as the chair and program chair of the AERA (American Education Research Association) Professional Development School Research Special Interest Group (PDSR SIG) and as the president of the Teacher Coordinators for Teacher Certification Testing (formerly known as the ExCET Coordinators Association of Texas). In addition to her work on BECOMING A TEACHER IN TEXAS, she co-edited FORGING ALLIANCES IN COMMUNITY AND THOUGHT: RESEARCH IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOLS.