Rethinking School-University Partnerships: A New Way Forward provides educational leaders in K-12 schools and colleges of education with insight, advice, and direction into the task of creating partnerships. In current times, colleges of education and local school districts need each other like never before. School districts struggle with pipeline, recruitment, and retention issues. Colleges of education face declining enrollment and a shifting educational landscape that fundamentally changes the way that teachers are trained and what local school districts expect their teachers to be able to do. It is with these overlapping constraints and converging interests that partnerships emerge as a foundational strategy for strengthening the education of our teachers. With nearly 80 contributors from 16 states (and Jamaica) representing 39 educational institutions, the partnerships described in this book are different from the ways in which colleges of education and school districts have traditionally worked with one another. In the past, these loose relationships centered primarily on student teaching and/or field experience placements. In this arrangement, the relationship was directed towards ensuring that the local schools were amenable to hosting students from the college of education so that the student/ candidate could complete the requirements to earn a teaching license. In our view, this paradigm needs to be enlarged and shifted.

edTPA is the most widely-used performance assessment for pre-service teachers in the United States, and a requirement in many states for teaching licensure. Through edTPA, teacher candidates demonstrate their effectiveness in different aspects of teaching, including planning, instruction, assessment, analysis of teaching, and use of academic language. This book is a practical guide for anyone involved in edTPA implementation. The chapters are written by experienced teacher educators who are leading successful edTPA programs in their own universities, who are in the field, and involved in the work. They represent diverse teacher preparation programs, each with their own strengths and challenges. This book addresses the challenges of edTPA, while providing practical strategies for educative and thoughtful implementation. Organized into four sections, each section explores a different aspect of edTPA implementation, and provides guidance for leading faculty and teacher candidates through edTPA.

Rethinking School-University Partnerships: A New Way Forward provides educational leaders in K-12 schools and colleges of education with insight, advice, and direction into the task of creating partnerships. In current times, colleges of education and local school districts need each other like never before. School districts struggle with pipeline, recruitment, and retention issues. Colleges of education face declining enrollment and a shifting educational landscape that fundamentally changes the way that teachers are trained and what local school districts expect their teachers to be able to do. It is with these overlapping constraints and converging interests that partnerships emerge as a foundational strategy for strengthening the education of our teachers. With nearly 80 contributors from 16 states (and Jamaica) representing 39 educational institutions, the partnerships described in this book are different from the ways in which colleges of education and school districts have traditionally worked with one another. In the past, these loose relationships centered primarily on student teaching and/or field experience placements. In this arrangement, the relationship was directed towards ensuring that the local schools were amenable to hosting students from the college of education so that the student/ candidate could complete the requirements to earn a teaching license. In our view, this paradigm needs to be enlarged and shifted.

edTPA is the most widely-used performance assessment for pre-service teachers in the United States, and a requirement in many states for teaching licensure. Through edTPA, teacher candidates demonstrate their effectiveness in different aspects of teaching, including planning, instruction, assessment, analysis of teaching, and use of academic language. This book is a practical guide for anyone involved in edTPA implementation. The chapters are written by experienced teacher educators who are leading successful edTPA programs in their own universities, who are in the field, and involved in the work. They represent diverse teacher preparation programs, each with their own strengths and challenges. This book addresses the challenges of edTPA, while providing practical strategies for educative and thoughtful implementation. Organized into four sections, each section explores a different aspect of edTPA implementation, and provides guidance for leading faculty and teacher candidates through edTPA.

Caring for a struggling special needs child and holding her close as she takes her last breath is perhaps one of a parent's most painful experiences. Precious In His Sight will lead special families and friends in finding hope, strength, and comfort. Lisa Barron, wife, mother, and nurse, becomes transparent as she shares very personal and special memories of her four-and-a-half-year journey with her sweet daughter Madison. Lisa shares how she was able to experience love and joy through the blessing of her special needs daughter. She also tells how her faith helped her find peace with her daughter's imperfections. Lisa recounts such challenges as dealing with difficult physicians and insurance companies, financial issues, excursions outside the home, awkward moments in public, and sibling care. She also stresses the importance of finding a church home and having supportive friends and family. She gives practical advice and guidance along with reassuring scriptures to provide the strength special families need. She devotes an entire chapter to friends and family, helping them see just how they can help the most. The author is sharing her story with you because we are all Precious In His Sight.