Schools may elect to become professional development schools, with corresponding commitments, or they may choose to become a Learning Alliance Network School, with less precisely defined commitments. Drafters of the agreement caution that, while appropriate for the specified partnership, this agreement may not be suited to other settings. This agreement sets out the responsibilities and rights of the School Corporation, of the University, and a student enrolled in early field experience at the University, such student to be assigned as a pre-student teaching participant in the School Corporation. Through the collaborative efforts of pupils in the school, community members, pre-service educators, practitioners in the school, and university faculty, a PDS becomes an exemplary learning environment.
Participation is voluntary.
The placement process is a collaborative process involving the University, building principals, and host teachers. Requests for placement of Participants will be initiated by the University and may be either for an individual student or a group of students. The requests would go to the building principal who would in turn confer with the Host Teacher. No teacher will be required to accept a Participant. If a majority of the teachers in a PDS site refuse to accept Participants, the school would no longer be eligible for PDS support.