Teachers' responsibility have grown beyond the isolated classroom walls to embrace the success of all children and adults who work in the school. Teachers are assuming a greater role in their own professional development and that of their colleagues. Enhancing student learning entails constant improvement in teaching and expanded roles for all teachers, including peer assistance and review. Although teachers must be allowed greater responsibility, they should not carry the entire burden alone. To increase their ability to serve students, teachers need partners who can help them enhance their knowledge and skills.
Parents are teachers' most important partners.
Other partners include universities, libraries, museums, other community organizations with educational missions, and businesses. Teachers and these organizations should form, long-term, genuinely collaborative relationships. Such cooperation could fulfill the obligation of each of these educational, cultural, or private organizations to the public. Rich resources should be made available to support teachers' and students' learning, Each community should enhance or create long-term partnerships for teachers' professional development. In addition, the federal government should establish a national institute for teachers' professional development.