Professional Development Schools

In 1997, Hood College began a Professional Development School (PDS) partnership with Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) in Maryland. The partnership includes elementary, middle and high schools in FCPS. 

The Hood College/FCPS Partnership Mission Statement is: improving student achievement by preparing highly-qualified teachers today, for tomorrow’s classrooms.

What is a PDS?

A Professional Development School (PDS) is a collaboratively planned and implemented partnership for the academic and clinical preparation of interns and the continuous professional development of both school systems and institutions of higher education (IHE) faculty. The focus of the PDS partnership is improved student performance through research-based teaching and learning.

Participants in the PDS partnership recognize a shared responsibility for the preparation of interns, the professional development of in-service teachers and administrators, improvement of all students’ learning, and improvement in professional practice. PDSs provide the site for performance-based learning by interns and offer interns successive experiences that build upon and integrate knowledge gained from coursework within the teacher preparation program. The partnership between the local school system and IHE ensures alignment of curriculum with the activities that interns observe and conduct within the PreK-12 classroom.

PDS supports a focus on student learning that then informs curriculum development within the teacher preparation program. Additionally, PDS serves as a laboratory for demonstrations of best practices and introduction of new pedagogical techniques, including those that involve the use of technology.

PDS vs. Partner Schools

All PDS and Partner schools are a part of our Education Council to provide professional growth opportunities for all stakeholders, to establish extensive internships for Hood students under the direction of master teachers, and to support professional inquiry into best practices for improving student achievement.

A PDS works with our teaching interns in a cohort of 5 or more through their senior year, Phase II and Phase III internship.

A Partner School works with interns during their sophomore and junior year as they complete ½ day field experiences.