National Association for Professional Development Schools (NAPDS) Affiliate
New Jersey Collaboration and Partnership Schools (NJCAPS) is an ad hoc group within the New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NJACTE). As an ad hoc, NJCAPS has representatives from each participating colleges/universities who have Professional Development School (PDS) university-school partnerships. NJCAPS holds a number of events and activities, including a yearly conference that is open to all university-school partnerships and teacher preparation stakeholders.
NJCAPS is an affiliate of the National Association of Professional Development Schools (NAPDS). NAPDS believes that supporting regional and state Professional Development Schools (PDS) organizations as affiliates of the national organization provides more opportunities for advocating PDSs as the paramount model for the preparation of aspiring teachers. Together, NAPDS and its local affiliates can provide stronger support for P-12 students, P-12 teachers, clinical faculty, teacher candidates and Institutes of Higher Education (IHE) faculty to meet the goals of the NAPDS Nine Essentials.
As an affiliate, NAPDS advocates for and uses the core values of the NAPDS, as described in “What it means to be a Professional Development School.” The nine essentials described in the document provide the context for the work of the affiliate and the bond between the affiliate and the NAPDS. The affiliate and the NAPDS promote a relationship of reciprocity for the mutual benefit of both.
Affiliation is intended for networking groups, teacher education organizations and PDS consortiums comprised of multiple universities and P-12 schools who are providing support, advocacy and professional development to PDS partners. Affiliation is not intended for one university’s PDS network.
Click here for more information about NAPDS
Membership Application to Join
Vision
The vision of NJCAPS is to nurture and sustain partnerships between P-12 schools and higher education.
Mission
The mission of NJCAPS is to be committed to the diversity of members and partnerships, dissemination and exchange of best practice and support teacher/educator leadership focusing on the four cornerstones of teacher preparation and ongoing professional development:
a) Pre-service Professional Development: Varied forms of initial teacher preparation, such as clinical practice, field placements, and on-site coursework;
b) In-service Professional Development: Multiple opportunities for teachers to engage in continuing professional development by working with university faculty members;
c) Increase Student Learners’ Achievement: Efforts to increase all students’ learning;
d) Research: Research into teaching and learning for the purpose of improving student achievement
NAPDS Events
NJCAPS is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Virtual MLK Day of Action. Please plan to attend this virtual symposium on Monday, January 16, 2023, 10 am – 12 noon. The symposium will begin and end with engaging presentations from dynamic educational leaders that you are sure to benefit from.
Please use the link below to register and be sure to share this information with your colleagues, P-12 partners and within your professional networks. The zoom webinar link will be shared with program participants directly using the email address provided during registration.
Don’t delay, register today!
Past NJCAPS Events: The 2022 Annual PDS Conference was held on May 25 (Keynote & Panel) and June 1 (breakout sessions). View the conference flyer for more information.