Abstract:

Professional Development Schools (PDSs) are becoming a significant trend in teacher education reform, a trend where teacher training colleges and schools have partnership. This partnership aims to maximize school students performance and achievement; prepare prospective teachers; promote professional development of beginning and experienced teachers and to develop applied inquiry designed to improve practice. This article describes the PDS reform in three Israeli-Arab teacher training colleges: Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education, Kaye Academic College of Education and Beit Berl College. PDSs are often compared to teaching hospitals, (hybrid institutions). As practicing professions, both teaching and medicine require a sound academic program and intense clinical preparation. The teaching hospital was designed to provide such clinical preparation for medical students and interns; PDSs serve the same function for prospective teachers and in-service faculty. Both settings provide support for professional learning in a real-world setting in which practice takes place. This article presents planning stages and the beginnings of the PDSs in the three colleges, the implementation process and evaluation of goals achievement. Recommendations to both schools and teacher training colleges are an integral part of this article.

Keywords:

Professional Development Schools (PDSs), Teacher Traning, Israeli-Arab, Teacher Training Colleges.