Teacher effectiveness, equitable distribution, and teacher preparation are inextricably linked. Recognizing that evidence-based practices account for at least part of the effects of teachers on achievement and the critical role of teacher preparation, the TQ Center (National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality) offers innovation configurations to promote the implementation of evidence-based instructional practices in teacher preparation activities, which is an allowable funding expenditure within ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Innovation configurations are designed to evaluate current teacher preparation and professional development by determining the extent to which evidence-based practices are taught, observed, and applied within teacher preparation and professional development programs. Use of innovation configurations advances collaborative practices and encourages an examination of the similarities, differences, and gaps among programs by answering two questions: (1) What types of instruction and experiences do teachers receive throughout their preparation and/or professional development that promote the use of evidence-based instructional practices?; and (2) To what extent are teachers and teacher candidates provided an opportunity to apply these strategies with explicit feedback and sustained implementation and support to ensure fidelity? Innovation configurations are designed to improve teacher education, which, in turn, can lead to improved student achievement. Use of innovation configurations to evaluate teacher education programs and professional development activities provides an overview of the competencies taught and practiced within general and special education teacher preparation programs. Innovation configuration results provide credible information about current practices and can be used as the basis or rationale for policy and program changes in teacher preparation and professional development programs at the district, state, and university levels. This document describes the content and purpose of innovation configurations, outlines their intended use as syllabus evaluation tools, and provides scoring guidelines and examples for clarification. (Contains 2 tables.)