Professional Development School (PDS) Program
What is the PDS Program?
The Professional Development School (PDS) Partnership connects USCA with local school districts to create a two-way learning relationship.
USCA faculty and teacher candidates work side-by-side with schools to:
- Strengthen teaching and learning
- Support teacher and leader development
- Collaborate on research and school improvement
- Build a sustainable educator pipeline
It’s about learning with schools — not just providing services to them.
Our mission
We prepare dynamic, compassionate educators through excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
Our programs emphasize:
- Active learning and collaboration
- Respect for individual differences and responsible citizenship
- Research-based instruction infused with technology
- Field experiences that prepare candidates to work with all students
Our vision
USCA will be a leader in teacher preparation—producing highly qualified educators who create learning environments where every student can reach their full potential.
Why partner with USCA?
Participating schools receive:
- Tailored professional development that aligns with school goals
- Targeted coaching and mentoring for teachers
- Leadership development for administrators
- Opportunities for collaborative school-based research
- Access to university expertise and resources
- When possible, schools may also host USCA courses or workshops onsite.
How the partnership works
- Annual Selection: Districts identify and designate PDS schools for one academic year.
- Application: Principals complete a short application highlighting professional learning priorities.
- Collaboration: USCA faculty partner with district and school teams to co-develop customized supports.
- Renewal: Districts may renew or rotate schools annually to expand participation.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Each selected school works with USCA to design a simple MOU that:
- Defines goals and focus areas
- Outlines professional development plans
- Clarifies shared responsibilities
This ensures every partnership is customized and aligned with district and school improvement goals.
Benefits for USCA
The PDS program also helps the university:
- Provide authentic, field-based experiences for teacher candidates
- Keep programs aligned with the realities of today’s classrooms
- Conduct applied research that benefits both schools and higher education
These partnerships keep USCA’s educator preparation relevant, responsive, and connected.
Duration
Each PDS designation lasts one academic year, with the option to renew or rotate among district schools.
Application Process
- Principals complete the PDS Application on the USCA School of Education website.
- USCA provides all submitted applications to the district for review.
- The district selects participating schools for the academic year.
- USCA develops an MOU with each selected school to outline goals, supports, and deliverables.
Contact Information
Dr. David G. Buckman
Dean, School of Education
david.buckman@usca.edu
803-641-3269