School-university partnerships: Understanding and strengthening relationships through professional experience

Limited research exists that examines the experiences of supervising teachers and their relationship with a university, its teacher educators and the pre-service teachers undertaking a practicum experience with that supervising teacher. Our intention was to investigate a higher education institution, Regional University, working with the staff at a secondary school called Sunshine College to determine and better understand the processes and elements that contribute positively to the partnership and to examine university and school practices and procedures related to professional experience that support student success. From these investigations an action plan was collaboratively developed to ensure that positive aspects are built upon and the areas of need are addressed in a systematic and planned manner.