Several groups and forums have called for change and reform of education through the creation of educational partnerships. As schools and universities responded to these pressures, an increasing number of S-UPs formed. Today more than ever, K-12 S-UPsare considered by many groups to be an effective reform vehicle although empirical studies remain scant. This study examined one S-UP model to see whether a framework of S-UP characteristicsserved as a foundation in understanding the complexities of whathappened in an actual S-UP. The study used nine characteristics to examine the principal preparation program for an urban district and examined what characteristics of an S-UP emerged and whether thenine characteristics of S-UPs found in the literature provided a useful framework to understand a particular S-UP. This study fillsa gap in S-UP literature concerning the lack of a framework that provides researchers a fundamental approach to the study of this complex and dynamic system. The study should be useful for any educators interested or involved in S-UPs, as well as forr esearchers and educators interested in advancing empirical studies of S-UPs.