Duval Elementary School is a

Professional Development School (PDS)

 

The development of the Duval Elementary School Professional Development School (PDS) is guided by the goals of the Holmes Partnership, a network of universities, schools, community agencies, and national professional organizations working in partnership to create high quality professional development and significant school renewal to improve teaching and learning for all children. Although the PDS does not focus on all of the goals simultaneously, it does use the goals to guide its efforts:

1. Simultaneous renewal: to improve PK-12 schools and the education of beginning and experienced educators by establishing strong relationships between and among universities, schools, professional organizations and associations, and community agencies.
2. High quality professional preparation: to provide exemplary pre- and in-service programs for the preparation and on-going professional development of PK-12 educators.
3. Equity, diversity, and cultural competence: to work on issues of diversity, equity, and cultural competence in the PK-12 schools, higher education, and the education profession.
4. Inquiry and research: to conduct and disseminate educational research that advances knowledge, improves teaching and learning for all children Ana youth, informs the preparation and development of educators, and influences educational policy and practice.                Top
5. Faculty development: to provide quality doctoral programs for the preparation of future education professorate.
6. Policy initiation: to provide policy analysis and development related to improving teaching and learning for all students, promoting school improvement, and enhancing the preparation and continuing professional development of all educators. 

At the Duval PDS, University of Florida undergraduate and graduate students and faculty work collaboratively with Duval students and faculty to strengthen teaching and learning. Duval teachers and administrators are working with university faculty on long-term professional development and research projects. University students work in classrooms as they take courses in curriculum and instruction. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to improve the education of students at Duval Elementary. Some of the publications related to the Duval PDS are cited below. New manuscripts are being developed to highlight exemplary teaching at Duval and to describe the strategies most responsible for the students' dramatic improvement on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).               Top

References:

Bondy, E., Adams, A., & Mallini, V. (in press). Learning in partnerships: The experience of students, teachers, and college faculty. In E. Bondy & D. Ross (Eds.), Preparing for inclusive teaching: Meeting the challenges of teacher education reform. Albany: State University of New York Press.

Bondy, E. (2002). Warming up to classroom research in a professional development school. Contemporary Education, 72, 8-13.

Bondy, E., & Ketts, S. (2001). Like being at the breakfast table: The power of classroom morning meeting. Childhood Education, 77 (3), 144-149.

Bondy, E., & McKenzie, J. (1999). Resilience building and social reconstructionist teaching: A first year teacher's story. The Elementary School Journal, 100 (2), 129-150.