The Illinois State University/Pekin Professional Development School welcomed its first cohort of 20 Elementary Education preservice teachers in the fall of 1999. Since its inception, the program has had over 250 interns experience a year-long internship in the Pekin Public Schools.

The partnership has also allowed for professional development opportunities for district staff:

• Masters in reading cohort
• Masters in curriculum instruction cohorts
• Summer workshops focused on creating problem-based learning activities for a teaching environment that utilizes science/technology centers
• Grant money to purchase state of the art technology to enhance instruction
• A variety of inservices facilitated by ISU professors

The Pekin Professional Development School continually evaluates its program. Ongoing dialogue and annual surveys given to interns, mentors, and principals provide feedback to improve the quality of the program. In addition, formal research has been conducted to study the impact that the partnership has on student achievement in our schools.

Visit the PDS archives for more information.