Project REAL Model

To address the goal of improving student performance in four schools in Rockford, so that 75% of students are meeting or exceeding state standards by the end of five years, the partners selected the “professional development school” (PDS) model. Extensive research across the U.S. shows that this model, sometimes called partnership schools, results in higher student achievement. Six criteria for success of this model are explained below, followed by a link to information about the four, new,professional development schools in Rockford.

Project REAL Critical Success Factors

  1. Create shared decision making
    Use a model for partners to share decision-making and governance that results in a strong partnership, improved student performance, better-prepared teachers, and effective mechanisms to disseminate lessons learned.
  2. Develop future teacher pool
    Build a pipeline for recruiting diverse students into the teaching profession.
  3. Reform educator preparation
    Create four professional development schools in order to transform teacher preparation, enhance content preparation, and integrate technology into instruction.
  4. Expand clinical experiences
    Provide extended clinical experiences (classroom observation and assistance by pre-service teacher candidates) designed to enhance exposure to diverse populations.
  5. Provide professional development
    Initiate a sustained mentoring and professional development program focused on retaining new teachers, facilitating national certification (NBPTS) and assuring that all teachers are highly qualified.
  6. Enhance managerial and leadership skills
    Implement a development program to enable principals to act effectively as instructional leaders and expert managers in high-need schools.