Chapter 6: Collaborating to Make a Difference: A Middle School and College of Education Partnership

University and public-school partnerships are critical to the future of public education. Both institutions have many of the same goals related to the pursuit of knowledge, intellectual curiosity, and preparing students to be active and productive citizens. In addition, there is a reciprocal nature regarding the students in both institutions. The university recruits students from schools, and many teachers are prepared through higher education. In light of this, the University of South Alabama College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) joined in partnership with an urban middle school in order to foster learning for both college and middle school faculty, staff, and students. The chapter describes this partnership between the CEPS and an urban middle school, to be called WPA in this chapter.