The Nine Essentials of a Professional Development School

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 committed to the preparation of future educators that embraces their active engagement in the school community;

3. Ongoing and reciprocal professional 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 investigations of practice by respective participants;

6. An articulation 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; and

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

Source: National Association for Professional Development Schools (http://www.napds.org/nine_essen.html)