The National Partnership for Excellence in Education and Accountability in Teaching (NPEAT) helps place improvement of teaching at the center of reform efforts, addressing two problems that impede the development of systemic reforms to improve teaching quality: (1) absence of agreement about effective strategies for improving teaching among those who significantly influence teacher capabilities and motivation and teaching conditions; and (2) discontinuity, inconsistency, and misalignment of policies and practices that influence teaching quality across the teaching career continuum. This Digest describes how NPEAT emphasizes best strategies to attract, prepare, retain, and support teachers who serve needy students in urban schools. Policies that help direct NPEAT are set by a Policy Board composed of representatives from 30 organizations. NPEAT's work is organized into Policy and Practice Strands encompassing high-promise strategies for improving teaching: recruitment and retention, teacher preparation, induction, continuing professional development, and standards and assessment. The strands include interrelated activities: developing research-based consensus around ideas, principles, and promising policies and practices; disseminating knowledge and support of related action by partners and others; identifying what we need to know more about; and conducting relevant research and development that leads to usable knowledge. NPEAT focuses on understanding and facilitating effective partnerships to enhance teaching quality. It engages in activities that encourage and support implementation of effective policies and practices. Its goal is to ensure that America provides all students with access to competent, caring teachers. (Contains 16 references.) (SM)