Three education groups, the Education Commission of the States, the Educational Testing Service, and Learning Point Associates have formed The National Partnership for Teaching At-Risk Schools. The group?s broad goal is to offer solutions to what the partnership?s chair, Virginia Governor Mark Warner describes as a "perverse, reverse-incentive system" that pays teachers more and provides better work environments in more affluent neighborhoods, when children in poor communities often need great teachers the most.

As a start, the group has released a report, Qualified Teachers for At Risk Schools: A National Imperative, which looks at such issues as teacher recruitment, support for beginning teachers, and school environment. The consortium is looking for additional partners.