Southside Initiative

The Florida State University Southside Initiative is a partnership designed to increase collaboration among thirteen Leon County high needs elementary, middle and high schools, Florida State University, Florida A&M University as well as both university schools.

The collaborative efforts are designed to promote joint action research targeting gains in student performance, the creation of professional development schools, and greater engagement of the university community in meeting the needs of the students served in high needs schools. The goal of this joint endeavor is to ensure students in the targeted K-20 schools enter kindergarten better prepared to learn, and, as a result of innovative and effective teaching which recognizes the needs of diverse learners, graduate from those schools with an increased number of post-secondary choices and opportunities. This collaborative project was developed by Florida State University President Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte, Superintendent of Leon County Schools William "Bill" Montford and Florida A&M President Frederick Humphries, all of whom serve on the steering committee.

The core characteristics of the Southside Professional Development School Network (SPDSN) to be developed and implemented by the partnership are:

• the use of technology to link all schools, partners, and the community they serve;
• an environment which integrates adult and student learning;
• participation of university, college, and school partners on issues of practice and policy which may affect the SPDSN;
• open and inclusive communication among all partners to facilitate the coordination of plans and programs;
• the simultaneous renewal of the schools, colleges and universities;
• model instructional and professional development practices