These guidelines are derived from the five basic National Commission on Teaching and America's Future recommendations presented in "What Matters Most: Teaching and America's Future," a research-based proclamation that improving the quality of classroom instruction is the most important, direct, and cost-effective route to improving student learning in U.S. schools. The five recommendations are: (1) "Get Serious about Standards for Students and Teachers" (e.g., accredit schools of education and license teachers on the basis of demonstrated performance); (2) "Reinvent Teacher Preparation and Professional Development" (e.g., teaching and learning standards as a foundation for teacher education and quality mentoring to develop quality teachers); (3) "Overhaul Teacher Recruitment and Put Qualified Teachers in Every Classroom" (e.g., assess teacher supply and demand and increase the ability of low-wealth districts to attract qualified teachers and ensure that districts hire only qualified teachers); (4) "Encourage and Reward Knowledge and Skill" (e.g., linking compensation to knowledge, skills, and performance and National Board certification); and (5) "Create Schools Organized for Student and Teacher Success" (e.g., flattening hierarchies and reallocating dollars and providing incentives for ongoing school improvement). Four appendixes present relevant Illinois data. (SM)