EDHD-ECE Professional Development Schools

The University of Maryland-Montgomery County Public Schools Early Childhood Education Professional Development School Network (UM-MCPS ECE PDS) is a collaborative effort aimed at the goal of continuous educational improvement and reform through institutional improvement, professional development, and teacher preparation.

The PDS Network is an inclusive learning community of students, pre-service and in-service teacher, teacher educators, administrators and support staff from the University of Maryland and the Montgomery County Public Schools dedicated to achieving equity and reaching high standards of performance for all members of the partnership.

Students in the undergraduate Early Childhood Education Teacher Certification Program complete year-long internships during their senior year in the PDSs. Faculty and graduate students in the Early Childhood Education program conduct research in the PDSs and assist each school with their professional development needs based upon their School Improvement Plans. UM professors facilitate inquiry groups with in-service teachers and administrators, on such topics as parental involvement, project approach learning, and science and math education, to enhance teacher content knowledge and develop improved instructional strategies.

For more information, see the UM-MCPS ECE PDS Network Web site.