The Professional Development School (PDS) concept was developed by the Holmes Group (now known as the Holmes Partnership) in response to a national call for educational reform. More recent reform agendas question the effectiveness of the PDS model. This article examines the changes that are occurring in the Temple University PDS in Philadelphia, where the state had taken over public schools. Temple University is serving as the manager of six schools. The resulting effect on both the professional development of teachers and student learning is uncertain. However, the challenges and opportunities to enhance the current PDS structure are promising.

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After Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002), civil conflict over use of vouchers and taxes to purchase private education, especially in religious schools, largely remained an issue for state courts’ jurisprudence. However, in 2010, it returned to the U.S. Supreme Court when Arizona taxpayers challenged the constitutionality of the state's education tax credit program permitting private donations to student tuition organizations that in turn provide scholarships for student attendance at private schools. This article describes selected U.S. education tax credit programs used to purchase private education, their legal sustainability, and the ongoing public policy debate.