Ball State University
Professional Development Schools Network
Elementary Liaisons' Meeting
Monday, September 13, 2004
11:00 a.m.
Teachers College 217

Summary

• Ruth welcomed Judy Miller, the new director of the Office of Teacher Education Services. Judy announced that she is pleased that as of September 13, she has received over 500 student teaching applications. Also, she informed the group that Muncie Community Schools and Delaware Community Schools are requiring limited criminal histories for everyone who provides any kind of instruction in the classroom. Students who are just observing do not need to provide this history. Judy is stressing PDSs at every opportunity. She is strongly suggesting that students be discouraged from selecting their place for student teaching based on where they live. Student teaching interviews should guide the students' thinking about this. Also, the student teaching handbook certainly encourages selecting a PDS.
  
  
• Larry Smith indicated that Ruth, Theresa Richardson, Jill Miels, Judy Miller and he are taking the lead to develop partnership schools within a 75 mile radius of Ball State that will take large numbers of student teachers. Currently only 10% of the student teaching placements are outside of this area so the plan is to eliminate these kinds of assignments. Placing students in clusters will be much better for the students and more cost effective for the university. Larry plans to have the partnership schools identified by the end of the first semester. When making future student teaching assignments, the PDSs will be the first option and partnership schools will be second. The group recommends that training on the student teacher evaluation system be part of the partnership agreement and a requirement for all supervising teachers.
  
  
• Ruth distributed the list of the PDSs for 2004-05, indicating that the number of PDSs this year is reduced because Gaston and Harrison elementary schools merged to become Wes-Del Elementary School. She also requested that the PDS Directory sheets be returned and that liaisons give her the days that they intend to be in their PDS so she can begin to schedule visits. Rhoades and TC Steele elementary schools are scheduled to have an on-site review this year.
  
  
• Everyone is encouraged to check the PDS Web site for current and accurate information. Liaisons are urged to send information about any awards, recognitions, publications, and presentations to Ruth. Also, Ruth needs copies of all published articles that have anything to do with PDSs.
  
  
• The PDS Network is being asked to consider publishing the newsletter on-line rather than in hard copy. This would reduce the cost, force people to use technology, and perhaps reach more people. The negatives are that people might not read it and the paper would not be available as a marketing tool. The group suggested that printing the PDS Directory could be discontinued and this money could be used to publish one newsletter during the year.
  
  
• Research in the PDSs continues to be a challenge. Lynette Varner is getting student teachers involved. Pat Clark will be encouraging the counseling psychology students at Huffer to consider doing some research. The group discussed how the students could share their action research projects with other university students in some type of poster sessions. Jill will coordinate the student presentations. Jill announced that an article about the research done at Washington-Carver has been accepted for publication. Pat Clark, Ann Leitze, Larry Smith and Jerrell Cassady also have articles about PDS work coming out in publications.
  
  
• The date for the fall Institute Meeting at Minnetrista is still a challenge with over 75 calendars to consider. Ruth expressed appreciation to everyone for their cooperation in finding a convenient time to meet and promised to announce the final date as soon as possible. Discussion about the agenda and format for the meeting included using the NCATE standards as a framework for discussion and giving people choices for their focus of learning. Tables where topics of mutual interest could be addressed would be identified and people could make selections. Claudia McVicker and Pat Clark agreed to be part of a planning committee.
  
  
• Teachers College has become a charter member of the National Association of Professional Development Schools at the $1,000 level. The organization has developed out of the annual PDS conferences sponsored by the southeastern region of the Holmes Partnership. This membership reflects the commitment Ball State has to the professional development schools.
  

The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.