SIGÌýMission,ÌýVision, and History
Preamble
The development of the School-University Partnership Research (SUPR) SIG's updated vision and mission statement was a collaborative, member-driven process that began in spring 2025, when the leadership team initiated discussions and shared scholarly readings to establish a theoretical foundation. Over the summer of 2025, leadership members worked asynchronously to draft individual vision and mission statements, which were presented and reviewed at the September 2025 leadership meeting. Artificial intelligence tools were then used to synthesize the multiple drafts into a cohesive consolidated statement, which core leadership members carefully refined to ensure the language was timeless, inspirational, and reflective of the organization's inclusive identity.
The refined statements were subsequently shared with the broader SIG membership via an online survey in late 2025 for feedback and input. Following the receipt of member feedback, SUPR SIG leaders convened on February 19, 2026, to review all responses and incorporate the recommended changes into the updated vision and mission statement. As a next step, leadership shared the revised document with the full membership, and the finalized statement was published on the SUPR SIG webpage, hosted by AERA, in advance of the ÐÜèÊÓÆµ2026 Conference.
The updated vision and mission of the SUPR SIG is intended to be a living, fluid document — one that honors the rich legacy of the Professional Development Schools (PDS) movement that laid our foundation in 1995, while boldly forging a new and expansive path for the future of school-university partnership research and practice. This document reflects an ongoing commitment to growth and collective ownership, recognizing that our understanding of inclusive, equitable partnership work must continue to evolve in response to the diverse voices and experiences that shape our field. To that end, the SUPR SIG will create meaningful opportunities — through webinars, publications, and collaborative dialogue — to engage current and former members and leaders in refining and firmly articulating a shared vision and mission that truly belongs to all.
Vision
The SUPR SIG works towards the renewal of educational practice through the dissemination of cutting-edge research and practices on school-university partnerships that creates democratic outcomes for students and educators across P‑12 educational settings.
Mission
The SUPR SIG is a community of international P‑12 educators, university faculty, and researchers committed to advancing the study of school-university partnerships. Through collaborative inquiry, we are dedicated to leading partnership research, strengthening equitable connections between schools and universities, and disseminating evidence-based practices. Ìý
SUPR SIG’S Aims
With roots firmly established by the Professional Development Schools (PDS) movement in 1995, the SUPR SIG aims to positively impact school-university practices and research across four interconnected pillars:
1.Ìý Facilitating Partnerships and Collaboration
•Ìý Supporting the development and sustainability of diverse school-university partnerships across P‑12 educational contexts and partnership models.
•Ìý Creating opportunities for educators and researchers, across the globe, to organize and conduct joint initiatives that foster collaborative inquiry and shared learning.
•Ìý Engaging schools, universities, and communities as equal partners in addressing authentic problems of practice.
2.Ìý Advancing Partnership Research
•Ìý Promoting, sponsoring, and conducting research on school-university partnerships, including their design, implementation, outcomes, and impact.
•Ìý Encouraging innovative research that examines partnership effectiveness, equity, and transformative potential.
•Ìý Generating new professional, academic, and community-based knowledge that advances the field of school-university partnerships.
3.Ìý Building Community and Professional Growth
•Ìý Providing a vibrant, inclusive community that supports members across P‑12 schools, higher education institutions, and community organizations.
•Ìý Creating spaces for meaningful engagement, critical dialogue, mentoring, and exchange of diverse perspectives on partnership work.
•Ìý Facilitating professional learning opportunities, including reflection, critique, and dissemination of partnership practices and research findings.
•Ìý Strengthening the pathways and development of partnership scholars and practitioners in educational leadership and related fields.
4.Ìý Communicating and Sharing Best Practices
•Ìý Disseminating evidence-based practices and innovative approaches to school-university partnership development.
•Ìý Facilitating scholarly exchange through conferences, publications, and collaborative networks.
•Ìý Influencing practice and policy by showcasing effective partnership models and their contributions to educational improvement and student learning.
Ìý
SIG HISTORY
The School-University Partnership Research SIG (SUPR SIG), formerly the Professional Development School Research (PDSR) SIG that began in 1995, underwent a name change in 2022 to better encompass diverse school-university partnership models.
The purpose of the SUPR SIG is to provide individuals engaged in research about school-university partnerships with a forum for discussion and a space for mutual support. The SUPR SIG encourages thoughtful and rigorous research which emanates from a variety of theoretical perspectives and utilizes many different investigative approaches and methods, while remaining faithful to the core principles of the PDS movement influenced by the Holmes Group in the 1980s (Holmes Group, 1986, 1990), the National Network for Educational Renewal, and the Research Practice Partnership initiatives. The SUPR SIG facilitates and encourages opportunities for inquiry, reflection, critique and collaboration among school-university partnerships representing all levels of the educational process and from all types of institutions and settings committed to improving PK–12 and educator development in higher education.
Dear SUPR SIG members,
We are honored to continue — and to deepen — the scope and mission of the School-University Partnership Research (SUPR) SIG. Back in 1995, this community took shape as the Professional Development School Research SIG, and today's SUPR SIG is the inheritance of over three decades of careful, generative scholarship. The new vision statement we now carry forward was built on that long foundation, and it belongs as much to the chairs and members who came before us as it does to those of us stewarding it next. To every past member and chair who broadened, sharpened, and sustained this community — thank you.
Building on that legacy, our 2026–2027 agenda will rest on three tentpoles: Research, Relationships, and Resilience. Research, because rigorous, justice-oriented inquiry into school-university partnerships has never mattered more. Relationships, because partnerships are first and finally about people — and our SIG is strongest when our members know one another across institutions, regions, and roles. Resilience, because the political and structural pressures on this work demand a community that can hold steady, support one another, and lead with courage.
As the SUPR SIG Chair for 2026–27, I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development at Texas A&M University, and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Teacher Education. My research agenda centers on educator recruitment, preparation, and retention for teachers and principals with sustained focus on school-university partnerships as vehicles for equity-centric workforce development — work I have led through more than $40+ million in statewide and federal partnership grants as PI and executive director. My scholarship has appeared in the Journal of Teacher Education, School-University Partnerships, Urban Education, Theory Into Practice, and Qualitative Inquiry, including recent work examining how HBCUs can lead the way toward an equity-centric model of school-university collaboration. I am proud of my long-standing partnerships with school districts — where collaborative residency work has been at the heart of my practice.
I look forward to seeing you at a SUPR SIG event soon.
Warmly,
Valerie Hill-Jackson
SUPR SIG Chair, 2026–27 | Texas A&M University | vhjackson@tamu.edu
News and Announcements
Do you have an announcement, publication, event, or opportunity to share with fellow members? Contact the SIG Secretary/Treasurer to have your item distributed to the membership via the ÐÜèÊÓÆµlistserv using this Google Form: To ensure you are receiving listserv communications, please verify that your ÐÜèÊÓÆµmembership and SIG subscription are current by contacting ÐÜèÊÓÆµdirectly.
Submit an Announcement: Contact the Secretary/Treasurer via this Google Form:
Update Listserv Access: Contact ÐÜèÊÓÆµCentral Office
SUPR SIG OFFICERS 2026-2027
Valerie Hill-Jackson |Chair (2026-2027) | College of Education and Human Development | Texas A&M University | vhjackson@tamu.eduÌýÌý
Joe Feinberg |Chair Elect (2026-2027) | College of Education and Human Development| Georgia State University | jfeinberg@gsu.eduÌýÌý
Jori S. Beck | Immediate Past Chair (2026-2027) | School of Education | College of William & Mary | jbeck@wm.eduÌýÌý
Erika Saito | Secretary/Treasurer (2025-2027) | Partnerships & Outreach, University of Massachusetts Global | lorine.saito@umassglobal.eduÌýÌý
Morgan Faison | Program Chair (2026-2027 | Mary Frances Early College of Education | University of Georgia | mfaison@uga.edu
Katherine Finch Thompson | Program Chair Elect (2026-2027 | Mary Frances Early College of Education | University of Georgia | kthompso@uga.edu
*Program Chair is a two-year, one-time term thatÌýoverlaps with the new Program Chair.ÌýÌý
Committees
The SIG has two ongoing committees.ÌýAdditional committees or task forces are convened as needed. For more information about current committees and the opportunity to serve, please contact the Chair.
Awards Committee:ÌýReviews nominations and selects recipients for the Dissertation Scholarship Award and the Claudia A. Balach Award. Former award winners are encouraged to serve.
Graduate Student Seminar Committee:ÌýPlans and coordinates the Graduate Student Seminar held in conjunction with the ÐÜèÊÓÆµAnnual Meeting, supporting the development of emerging scholars in the field.
Past Chairs
A listing of past SIG chairs. The SUPR SIG was founded in 1995 as the Professional Development Schools SIG.
1995ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Lee TeitelÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýHarvard University 2003Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýJeanne TunksÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý University of North Texas 2005Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýJane NeopolitanÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Towson University 2008Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýDiane Yendol-HoppeyÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýUniversity of North Florida 2011Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Kristien ZenkovÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýGeorge Mason University 2013Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Eva GarinÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýBowie State University 2014Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Rebecca West Burns Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýKutztown University ofÌýPennsylvania 2015Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Susan OgletreeÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Georgia State University 2016Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Gwendolyn BensonÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Georgia State University 2017Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Linda A. CatelliÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýQueens College 2018Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Cindy GutierrezÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý University of Colorado – Denver 2019Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Janna Dresden Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýUniversity of Georgia 2020Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýDiane GomezÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýManhattanville College 2021Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Joseph Feinberg Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Georgia State University 2022Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Melissa A. BakerÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýAbraham Baldwin AgriculturalÌýCollegeÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌý 2023Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Diane Yendol-HoppeyÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýUniversity of North Florida 2024Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Susan OgletreeÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýGeorgia State University 2025Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Jori S. Beck Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý College of William & Mary 2026Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Valerie Hill-Jackson Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýTexas A&M University
Structure and Government
The operations of the SUPR SIG are governed by a set of Bylaws revised by the Executive Committee, with input from the membership, and ratified by membership vote.
BYLAWS — CURRENTLY UNDER REVISION
The SUPR SIG Bylaws are presently undergoing revision and are not available for direct download at this time. A copy is available to SIG members upon request. To obtain the current version, please contact:
SIG Chair:Ìý Valerie Hill-JacksonÌý |Ìývhjackson@tamu.edu
ÐÜèÊÓÆµAdministration:Ìý aera.netÌý |Ìý ÐÜèÊÓÆµCentral Office, Washington, DC
Membership
We invite any researcher interested in developing school-university partnerships to join us as we seek to enhance educational outcomes through evidence-based research and foster collaboration between K–12 schools and institutions of higher education. We have an excellent leadership team focused on continuing to strengthen the SIG and grow our membership.
Join Our SUPR SIG
Regular Membership is open to any ÐÜèÊÓÆµmember who pays School-University Partnership Research (SUPR) Special Interest Group dues. To join, log on to the Members section of ÐÜèÊÓÆµand under “Purchases,” select “Special Interest Groups” to register for SUPR SIG 079. Applications may also be sent to: AERA, Dept. 3073, Washington, DC 20061-3073.
Voting Members
All Regular Members of the School-University Partnership Research (SUPR) Special Interest Group may vote in an ÐÜèÊÓÆµSUPR SIG election.
Membership Dues
The ÐÜèÊÓÆµmembership year runs January 1–December 31. SUPR SIG membership is co-terminus with ÐÜèÊÓÆµmembership. The amount of SUPR SIG membership dues shall be determined by majority vote of the regular membership.
Graduate students — the next generation of school-university partnership scholars — are valued members of the SUPR SIG community. Each year, depending on available funding, the SUPR SIG will reimburse the “early bird student registration” fee for the ÐÜèÊÓÆµAnnual Meeting for doctoral students who have proposals related to school-university collaborative research accepted for presentation. To receive compensation, doctoral students must present their research at ÐÜèÊÓÆµand attend the SUPR SIG Business Meeting.
Professional Development Opportunities
SUPR SIG Webinar Series
Since summer 2024, the SUPR SIG has sponsored a series of panels on Zoom to bring members together to discuss research related to different types of school-university partnerships. Sessions are recorded for further distribution.
Upcoming Webinars
Contact the ÐÜèÊÓÆµadministration to ensure you are subscribed to the listserv and then receive webinar invitations by the SIG’s Secretary as they are scheduled.
Call for Proposals and Annual Program
Call for Proposals
The SUPR SIG welcomes proposals for the ÐÜèÊÓÆµAnnual Meeting that advance research on school-university partnerships in all their forms — including teacher residencies, research-to-practice partnerships, community schools, professional development schools, and collaborative models between schools and universities. Proposals are reviewed by a peer panel appointed by the Program Chair. Serving as a peer reviewer is a meaningful way to contribute to the SIG community and the broader field. If you are interested in serving on the review panel, please contact the Program Chair.
Support for Doctoral Students
Each year, depending on funding, the SUPR SIG will reimburse the “early bird student registration” fee for the ÐÜèÊÓÆµAnnual Meeting for doctoral students who have proposals related to school-university collaborative research accepted for presentation. To receive compensation, doctoral students must present their research at ÐÜèÊÓÆµand attend the SUPR Business Meeting.
SUPR SIG Town Hall
Join us for a community conversation — the SUPR SIG Town Hall. Launched in 2025 with approximately 25 attendees, members gather to openly engage in public discussion between leaders and members. This platform supports sharing of important information, gathering feedback, addressing concerns, and building trust, which can help align goals, solve problems, and foster a sense of shared purpose and community.
SUPR SIG Business Meeting
The SUPR SIG Annual Business Meeting is held in conjunction with the ÐÜèÊÓÆµAnnual Meeting each spring. All members are encouraged to attend. The business meeting includes award presentations, officer reports, and community discussion. The date, time, and location are announced at least three weeks in advance through the ÐÜèÊÓÆµlistserv.
Research Connections
Publications of Interest
2025
Handbook of School-University Partnerships. Cambridge University Press.
Critical Approaches for Teacher Residencies: Dreaming New Ways Forward in School, University, and Community Entanglements. Routledge.
2024
Advancing School-University Partnerships and Professional Development Schools through National Research: Revitalized Perspectives for Social Justice, Equity, Growth, and Inclusivity. Routledge.
2023
A National Collaborative Research Agenda for Professional Development Schools and Similar School-University Partnerships. NASUP. Published with support from an ÐÜèÊÓÆµconference grant; over 57 school-university scholars participated. Available at: nasup.org/research/
2021
Change and Improvement in School-University Partnership Settings: Emerging Research and Opportunities. IGI Global.
Each year, SIG 079 (SUPR) acknowledges outstanding research and service within our community through two prestigious awards. Award nominations open November 1, with packets due January 1. Both awards are presented at AERA's Annual Meeting. A SUPR SIG committee appointed by the Chair reviews all nominations and reserves the right not to present an award should nominees not fully meet the selection criteria.
SUPR SIG Dissertation Scholarship Award
ÌýPURPOSE
The SUPR SIG Dissertation Scholarship Award (formerly the Professional Development School [PDS] Research Dissertation Scholar Award) recognizes dissertation research in P‑12 educational settings on essential problems of practice, professional development, and student outcomes in school-university partnership settings. The SIG recognizes a variety of school-university partnerships including teacher residencies, research-to-practice partnerships, community schools, professional development schools, collaborations between schools and universities, and many more. The honoree will be introduced to the ÐÜèÊÓÆµSUPR SIG community and will share their research at the SIG's business meeting at the upcoming ÐÜèÊÓÆµAnnual Meeting.
WHO MAY APPLY?
Doctoral students engaged in dissertation research conducted in a school-university partnership may apply for this award. Both domestic and international scholars are encouraged to apply. The applicant must be involved with a school-university partnership research/inquiry project from its inception to the presentation of the findings.
At the time of the annual conference, the applicant must not be more than one year past the date of receipt of their doctoral degree. Applicants who have not yet graduated are also eligible to apply if the data collection and analysis stages of the dissertation work are completed so that there are results to share. If chosen, the awardee is expected to attend ÐÜèÊÓÆµand present the research at the SUPR SIG business meeting.
SELECTION CRITERIA
1. Demonstrate the potential to contribute to the scholarship around school-university partnership work: the dissertation is clearly situated in school-university partnership research including research-to-practice partnerships, teacher residencies, school-university partnerships, community schools, Professional Development Schools, and others.
2. Represent scholarship/research situated in a school-university setting with findings to share: the dissertation must be focused on a partnership between a PK-12 school or district/division and a college or university
3. Demonstrate the potential for building the foundation of a sustained program of research and inquiry within a school-university setting: the dissertation is grounded in school-university partnership research and addresses implications for future work
APPLICATION
Submit a description of your research (maximum 2,000 words) addressing the three criteria above. Include the applicant's name, affiliation, and contact information. Also include a letter of support from the applicant's dissertation sponsor or committee chair and the applicant's CV. The application is made available each year in November through the SUPR SIG’S listserv. Submit electronically to the SIG Secretary.
DEADLINE
All applications must be received by January 1. Announcements will be made by February 15 each year.
Claudia A. Balach School-University Partnership Award
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Claudia A. Balach School-University Partnership Award is to encourage collaborative research in school-university partnerships on critical practice challenges, professional development, and student outcomes. Additionally, the purpose is to support the school-university partnership(s), who will be introduced to the ÐÜèÊÓÆµSUPR SIG community and might present their research at the upcoming ÐÜèÊÓÆµAnnual Meeting. The partnership can be between a K-12 teacher and university professor, a school and/or school district and university, or multiple school districts and a consortium of universities.
School-university partnerships may apply for this award. The partnership must include a K-12 school(s) and a university. If awarded, all team members will be invited to attend the SUPR SIG business meeting. At least one member of the research project team is expected to attend ÐÜèÊÓÆµand present the research at the SUPR SIG business meeting.
P‑12 teacher(s) and administrator(s) may apply in conjunction with their college/university colleagues. P‑12 applicants must be involved with the research/inquiry project from inception to the presentation of findings. If accepted, at least one member of the research project must attend the next ÐÜèÊÓÆµAnnual Meeting and the SUPR SIG's Business Meeting to receive the award. At least one member of the collaborative research project must be an ÐÜèÊÓÆµSUPR SIG member.
1. School-University partnership contribution to research: we recognize a variety of school-university partnerships including teacher residencies, research-to-practice partnerships, community schools, Professional Development Schools, collaborations between schools and universities, and many more; research can take the form of published articles and/or grants. The quality and quantity of publications and grant productivity from the partnership will be considered, the partnership should be bounded and clearly defined
2. Investigation of an issue(s) that impact student outcomes and/or the teaching profession. The nature of the research will be evaluated for its support of these goals
3. Demonstrate an ongoing interest in collaborative research between schools and universities, focusing on developing teachers as researchers through professional development, joint inquiry, action research, and community-engaged research. Partnerships should have been established for at least one year. The partnership must include both PK-12 and school-based teacher educators and must convey how PK-12 educators participated in the research process
To apply for the Claudia A. Balach School-University Partnership Award, please provide the following:
- Title of submission
- Corresponding researcher/author
- Affiliation
- Mailing address
- Email address
- Name, role, and affiliation for each member of the research team
- A description of your research partnership that addresses the three criteria above. The application narrative may not exceed 2,000 words. Include the names, affiliations, and contact information of all researchers/authors.
Submit electronically to the SIG Secretary.
IMPORTANT NOTE:Ìý Award submissions are entirely separate from the regular ÐÜèÊÓÆµonline proposal submissions process and portal. If applicants wish to also present their studies at the ÐÜèÊÓÆµAnnual Meeting, proposals must be submitted separately through the official ÐÜèÊÓÆµonline submissions process, following published ÐÜèÊÓÆµguidelines and Annual Meeting submission deadlines.