Effective and sustainable university-school partnerships: beyond determined efforts by inspired individuals

Teaching Australia commissioned the Victoria University research team to undertake a research study to identify the characteristics of successful relationships between universities and schools, particularly for the school-based professional experience component of teacher education programs. The specific aims were: (1) to identify examples of effective and sustainable university-school partnerships as part of preservice teacher preparation programs, as well as research, induction and continuing professional learning for practising teachers; and (2) to analyse these programs to identify...  [+] Show more

Teaching Australia commissioned the Victoria University research team to undertake a research study to identify the characteristics of successful relationships between universities and schools, particularly for the school-based professional experience component of teacher education programs. The specific aims were: (1) to identify examples of effective and sustainable university-school partnerships as part of preservice teacher preparation programs, as well as research, induction and continuing professional learning for practising teachers; and (2) to analyse these programs to identify the characteristics of effectiveness and sustainability. Effective partnerships are critical to achieving high quality teacher education. The report presents detailed case studies of several partnership initiatives which show what makes collaboration effective and how to sustain it over the long term. The report includes an inquiry kit comprising a set of tools adapted from the research materials to support the development and improvement of local partnerships.