Professional Development Schools (PDS) are collaboratively planned and implemented partnerships for the academic and clinical preparation of interns and the continuous professional development of both school system and institution of higher education (IHE) faculty. The focus of the PDS partnership is improved student performance through research-based teaching and learning.

Maryland Partnership for Teaching and Learning
Professional Development Schools: An Implementation Manual

PDS Implementation in Baltimore County Public Schools

The BCPS Blueprint for Progress, in alignment with No Child Left Behind and the Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Education Act, indicates the importance of developing, hiring, training, and retaining highly qualified teachers in improving the achievement of all students and in eliminating achievement gaps. The implementation of PDS partnerships specifically supports the Blueprint for Progress Performance Goal 3: All students will be taught by highly qualified teachers. To meet this goal, the BCPS Master Plan 2003-2008, identifies the importance of partnerships with institutes of higher education and calls for “a systemic process for the delivery of Professional Development Schools that meet academic and clinical preparation needs of interns and continuous development of faculties.”   The Professional Development Schools Implementation Protocol ensures consistent procedures systemwide for the implementation of PDS partnerships.  All BCPS schools along with their IHE partners are required to follow the Professional Development Schools Implementation Protocol.

• BCPS Blueprint for Progress
• BCPS PDS Implementation Protocol
• BCPS PDS Strategic Planning template
• BCPS Strategic Planning Funding Request
• BCPS PDS Sites
• Maryland Teacher Professional Development Standards
• PDS Assessment Framework
• PDS Implementation Manual
• PDS in Maryland