The University-School Co-Operative Teacher Program was created in 1987 to open a meaningful and regular contact with teachers from local school districts. Its success led to the creation of a Co-Op Program with Pima Community College in 1995. The aims of the program are two-fold. First, to provide teachers with an intensive period for professional development. During the program they take courses, participate in a math instruction colloquium on content and pedagogy issues, and get to know and interact with the faculty at the University of Arizona. Second, to benefit from the wealth of teaching experience they bring into entry level courses at the University. In this way university students get instruction from an accomplished teacher in their classroom. Moreover, the teacher gets to know first hand the university curriculum and the expectations needed for success. They in turn can speak more authoritatively with students and colleagues about university standards. Normally, four teachers and two Pima faculty participate in the program each year.
The Co-Op Program works likes this. The school district/Pima Community College and the University of Arizona enter into an intergovernmental agreement. Participants in the program remain school district/Pima Community College employees with full salary and benefits. In return the university will pay the cost of a replacement teacher. At the end of the program participants must return to their district/Pima Community College for a minimum of one year.
The program has been very successful at promoting a regular exchange of ideas and expertise between school district teachers, Pima College, and University faculty.