All development should be research-based and incorporated into a teacher's day in the classroom so as to involve the real challenges that a teacher faces. School and university partnerships have emerged as a promising alternative to improving professional development. In addition, businesses have offered up their own management-training techniques and technical expertise for adaptation in the classroom. Perhaps most exciting, though, are the emerging programs that allow teachers to train teachers. Mentoring programs give veteran teachers a chance to work with newcomers to the profession, guiding them in classroom techniques and training.
Community groups take an active role in teachers' professional development in various ways.
They can serve as neutral conveners for teachers and officials to discuss their expectations for professional development. They can actively seek out promising practices in other communities for strengthening professional development. And they can help evaluate the progress of professional development efforts while keeping in mind the goal of better outcomes for students. The Los Angeles Educational Partnership's Los Angeles Teacher Networks provide peer support, exchange of teaching ideas and information, and innovation for more than 3,000 teachers. The networks provide access to experienced teacher practitioners who serve as coaches or mentors for other teachers.