Chapter 3: Professional Learning Within A PDS

In this chapter, the authors analyze the effectiveness of a series of professional learning sessions focused on furthering language and literacy practices in three professional development school sites. Grounded in the framework of teachers as transformative intellectuals and the intellectual capital gains possible within PDS partnerships, the authors describe the changing educational landscape that has called for new initiatives to engage teachers as learners within the PDS including new standards, new teacher evaluations, and increased populations of multilingual learners. Conclusions indicate that a focus on professional learning within the PDS can build a community of learners among teachers, can increase participation in other PDS initiatives, and can further the classroom practices of teachers.