This paper, prepared by Professor John Coolahan, was commissioned by the Education and Training Policy Division in support of the Education Committee’s activity Lifelong Learning for Teachers for its 2000-2001 Programme of Work. This activity provided background work for launching a new OECD activity Attracting, Developing and Retaining Effective Teachers in March 2002. The overall objective of this work is to provide policy makers with information and analysis to assist them in formulating and implementing teacher policies leading to quality teaching and learning at the school level. The activity is intended to: (i) synthesise research on issues related to policies concerned with attracting, recruiting, retaining and developing effective teachers; (ii) identify innovative and successful policy initiatives and practices; (iii) facilitate exchanges of lessons and experiences among countries; and (iv) identify policy options. The final synthesis report is to be published in 2004. Detailed information about the activity is provided in the following internet site: www.oecd.org/els/education/teacherpolicy