Refining existing teaching practices by closely examining the current realities of classrooms can be a powerful – and even potentially safer – approach to addressing stagnating student achievement, as seen in standardised testing across participating countries. Further understanding the nature of teaching is critical, as no other factor within schools has a greater impact on students' academic success and overall achievement than the quality of teaching.

Understanding the fuller complexity of teaching is essential to the ongoing improvement of education systems. This report is grounded in a collaborative, iterative, and multi-stakeholder approach, integrating insights from experts on the best evidence available on high quality teaching and from over 150 schools on how practices are implemented. This work has been further enriched by the 50 countries and organisations participating in the Schools+ Network, representing diverse perspectives across policy, schools and research.

The report details five key teaching goals relevant across different age groups, subjects, educational contexts, and pedagogical beliefs:

• ensuring cognitive engagement
• crafting quality subject content
• providing social-emotional support
• fostering classroom interaction
• using formative assessment and feedback.

The report also discusses moving towards more evidence-informed teaching and translating research into classroom practice, as well as empowering high quality teaching in every school.