Founded in 1980, the Center for the Improvement of Education forges fruitful partnerships with urban public schools to address issues of common concern. Queens College joins forces with these culturally diverse schools to make pre-service and in-service efforts a constructive force for change.

QC’s students who will become teachers have been going beyond student teaching to focus on professional development that enhances the quality of their own education and that of their pupils. By promoting and supporting research by faculty and educators at these schools, the center increases the knowledge base for excellent, equitable, and ethical teacher education. Among our other goals are supporting schools in improving instruction, enhancing student learning and achievement, and involving practitioners in QC’s college preparatory programs. We also offer expertise in staff development, teacher recruitment, and connecting pre-service training with the daily realities of the classroom and the practical experience of school staff.

Other collaborations flourish with the Lincoln Center Institute—to further aesthetic education—and with four schools closely tied to QC: Townsend Harris High School at QC; PS/IS 499 (the QC School for Math, Science, and Technology); the Queens School of Inquiry, an early college secondary school; and PS 247: The New York City College Partnership Elementary School.