By Design: Professional Development School Partnerships at the Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education, Ohio University and Athens City Schools

Outreach and engagement that connects the Patton College at Ohio University with P-12 schools has been a strong tradition in the Southeastern Ohio/Appalachian region. In the mid-1980s, a partnership aligned with the Coalition of Essential Schools and 9 "Common Principles"' was one of the first. Alignment with 19 "Postulates" of the National Network for Educational Renewal followed. The seeds had been planted, Ohio University established a Center for Partnerships, and several Professional Development Schools began to emerge and flourish. In 2008 a new alignment with NAPDS, incorporating the "9 Essentials" into the PDS practices was welcomed. Most recently, the Blue Ribbon Panel Report commissioned by NCATE (2010) brought "10 Design Principles for Clinically Based Preparation." In 2013 full membership in the National Network for Education Renewal (NNER) was initiated. In 2014 PDS Partnerships with the Athens City Schools received the NAPDS Award for Exemplary Professional Development School Achievement. The purpose in this article is to share highlights drawn from the application for this award.