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Our governance structure is what I would refer to as three-dimensional in
nature and includes representation from many perspectives (Table 1), ensuring that
clear and transparent communication is shared among each of the three governing/
decision-making bodies. One dimension of the governance structure is the PDS
Steering Committee at each partnership campus. This committee is chaired by the
campus principal and includes the Baylor University liaison, the school site-based
coordinator (a position that is split-funded by the university and the school district),
teachers, community members, and, at most campuses, Baylor candidates and public
school students. Responsibilities of this group include campus goal setting, problem-
solving, and everyday partnership operations. The committee meets two times each
semester and includes representatives who serve on the larger PDS Coordinating
Council.
Table 1
Roles and responsibilities within PDSs at Baylor University
PDS Campus Principal The instructional leader of a PDS campus who upholds the goals
and policies of both the school district and the university and, in
collaboration with the university liaison and site-based coordinator,
facilitates communication between partners.
University Liaison A university-based representative with primary responsibility for
facilitating communication and interaction between the university and
a particular partnership campus.
Site-based Coordinator A school-based partnership representative who holds broad
responsibility for preservice teachers as well as helps to facilitate
partnership scheduling and other operations at a particular PDS
campus. This position is split-funded by the district and the university.
District Partnership Liaison A district leader who monitors initiatives, activities, and performance
in the partnership and serves as the official partnership liaison on
behalf of the school district.
Director of Professional A Baylor faculty member who supports the work of all PDS and
Practice (University partner campuses, fosters development of new partnerships and PDS
Partnership Liaison) initiatives, and serves as the official liaison for partnerships on behalf
of the university.
Adapted from Table 1 included in McCall et al. (2017, p. 9 and definitions of roles and responsibilities as outlined in the
Baylor/Midway ISD Partnership Memoranda of Understanding.
A second dimension of our governance structure is the PDS Coordinating
Council. This group is made up of the principals, university liaisons, and site-based
coordinators from each of the PDS sites and is cochaired by the Baylor Partnership
Liaison and the PDS District Partnership Liaisons. Members of this council “are
responsible for practical planning and implementation of the partnership” (NCATE,
2010, p. 14), meeting five times a year and making recommendations to the Oversight
Council based on input from both the campus steering committees and the PDS
Coordinating Council.
The third dimension of the governance structure is the PDS Oversight Council,
which is made up of superintendents and curriculum directors from the partner
districts and deans and department chairs at the university. The Oversight Council
10 The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin: International Journal for Professional Educators