Policymakers and researchers have focused on improving the quality of our nation's 3 million teachers to raise the achievement of students in key academic areas, such as reading and mathematics. Given the importance of teacher quality to student achievement and the key role federal and state governments play in supporting teacher quality, GAO's objectives included examining (1) the extent that the U.S. Department of Education (Education) funds and coordinates teacher quality programs, (2) studies that Education conducts on teacher quality and how it provides and coordinates research-related assistance to states and school districts, and (3) challenges to collaboration within states and how Education helps address those challenges. GAO interviewed experts and Education officials, administered surveys to officials at state educational agencies and state agencies for higher education in the fall of 2008, and conducted site visits to three states. GAO recommends that the Secretary of Education implement a strategy for sustained coordination among program offices. A key purpose would be to aid information and resource sharing, and strengthen linkages among its efforts to help improve teacher quality. While Education will consider forming a cross-program group, it favors short-term, issue-specific coordination. We continue to believe sustained coordination is needed. Appendixes include: (1) Scope and Methodology; (2) Primary Programs: Twenty-three Programs Providing Funding Specifically to Improve the Quality of Teachers; (3) Programs That Support Broad Objectives but Allow or Require Some Funds to Be Used for Teacher Quality; (4) Institute of Education Sciences' Sponsored Research on Teacher Quality, 2003-2009; (5) Comments from the U.S. Department of Education; and (6) GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments. (Contains 5 tables, 4 figures, and 4 footnotes.)