Welcome to the
Professional Development Schools
Consortium Website
Whether you're a Teacher Candidate at one of our schools, a liaison member of a current PDS partner school, or a school administrator interested in your school becoming a partner, we hope this site will provide you with all the information you need. We are very proud of our organization and invite you to take a closer look.
Who is a member of this organization? This multidimensional program is collaboratively designed and managed through a PDS Advisory Council and a PDS Consortium comprised of teachers and administrators from local elementary schools and Buffalo State College Faculty members. College faculty, school administrators, and practicing teachers deliberate on how to cooperatively supervise pre-service teachers and provide closer connections to classroom practice, promote professional development for in-service teachers, improve student learning, and research educational practice for school reform.
How many schools participate in this partnership? The Department of Elementary Education and Reading has established a partnership of approximately 45 Professional Development Schools (PDS) in Western New York.
For more information about these PDS Partners, please click here.
What is the purpose of this organization? Critical aspects of our program involve creating and maintaining a collaborative community partnership with urban, suburban, and rural school districts; collaboratively identifying, developing, and refining practices that promote student achievement; supporting initial preparation and continuing professional development for teachers and other school based educators; and supporting teacher inquiry to improve pupil and educator development. This is accomplished while Pre-Childhood and Childhood Education majors gain a variety of experiences, ranging from classroom observation and tutoring to methods and student teaching placements at established PDS sites.
The PDS model at the college also follows the standards established by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (2001).