Professional development schools are an essential part of teacher education reform and the K-16 initiative. Maryland currently has 80 Professional Development Schools . . . I want to see us move quickly to build this base. I am optimistic that the entire teacher education community will get on board and make these centers of learning succeed. We are also aggressively addressing the issue of college readiness among capable but disadvantaged young people.
Teacher preparation is part of the effort.
Greater emphasis on helping students get ready for college success is part of it. And, of course, more financial aid to help these students is part. Our education funding includes a major investment in pre-kindergarten education efforts. And we will do more for early Gifted and Talented identification efforts. We are looking for a common approach to preparing, recruiting and hiring teachers.