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provides “broad policy and operational leadership for the partnership” (NCATE,
2010, p. 14). This group is also cochaired by the Baylor Partnership Liaison and the
PDS District Partnership Liaison. These two Liaisons, appointed by the dean in the
School of Education and the superintendent in the school district respectively, work
closely on all aspects of the partnership to ensure that communication among the
governing bodies is effective and all voices are heard.
Examples of collaboration and shared decision-making in the Baylor partnerships
with Waco ISD and Midway ISD are plentiful; however, I believe that one example Dr. Bernard Badiali
of which many of us are extremely proud is our partnership-wide implementation of is Associate Professor
the coteaching model to prepare preservice teachers at each of our PDS and partner of Curriculum and
Supervision at The
campuses. The idea of selecting the coteaching model came from a group of our Pennsylvania State
teachers, school faculty and administrators, and university faculty and administrators University and has served
who participated together in an NAPDS conference almost 10 years ago. We attended National Association
several sessions that focused on coteaching as an instructional model and, as we for Professional
traveled back home, everyone was enthusiastically discussing the possibilities this Development Schools
model offered. Once back in Waco, those of us who had attended the conference (NAPDS) on its Board of
Directors and in its 3-year
began to share our excitement. We had gathered the data to provide evidence of the presidential term. bxb8@
model’s effectiveness, and we were anxious to share. psu.edu
Due to our established governance structure that, from the beginning, focused
on shared decision-making, we knew exactly where to start. Representing an array
of positions in the partnership, we began by sharing what we had learned with our
colleagues through the PDS Steering Committees at each campus. The Campus
Steering Committees agreed that the partnership should look closely at the coteaching
model partnership-wide and asked representatives to take their recommendation to
the PDS Coordinating Council. The Coordinating Council members examined the
data, gathered more information from a variety of sources, and agreed that they
would like to present the information and recommendation to members of the PDS Dr. Rebecca West Burns
Oversight Council. Within a year, consultants were hired and more than 40 faculty is the Bill Herrold Endowed
members and administrators representing both Baylor and its partnership school Professor, Director of
Clinical Practice and
district had attended the St. Cloud State Trainer of Trainers for Co-Teaching, and Education Partnerships in
all mentor teachers, clinical supervisors, and Baylor candidates had received the the College of Education
training. The following year, the coteaching model was implemented throughout the and Human Services
partnership and, to this day, remains a successful highlight of our work. And it all at the University of
started with sharing of ideas and collaboration with the goal of improving teaching North Florida. She is the
and learning at all levels. current president of the
National Association for
Changes at the university as well as in the public schools with which Baylor Professional Development
partners have presented some challenges through the years as leadership has changed Schools (NAPDS).
both at the university and in the school districts; and, as with any school partnership, rebeccaburns@usf.edu
there have been curricular changes as well as many changes in school laws, rules,
and teaching standards at the local, state, and national levels. We are often asked
how our partnership has lasted, and even expanded and thrived, during the 28 years
since Hillcrest PDS, our first PDS campus, opened its doors. To me, the answer
is clear. Critical attributes of the partnerships’ success have included commitment,
trust, communication, and—especially—collaboration and shared decision-making
among all stakeholders.

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