Chapter 15: Peer Support in Professional Development Schools: An Unexpected Boon for Teacher Education

The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate peer-learning initiatives in four settings, including two in Professional Development School (PDS) sites and two in non-PDS sites. Cohort-bonding and group professional portfolios were the two peer-related program elements examined in this study. The study examined the effectiveness of using the group portfolio, a specifically designed cost-effective peer component in PDSs, and compared and analyzed the data with a non-PDS urban teacher education program. The study highlighted student perceptions on the value of peer interactions and its impact on their professional development.