The Goals 2000: Educate America Act offers educators the opportunity to develop a plan for moving all students toward higher levels of learning and to create a broad partnership for activating that plan. This publication describes how teachers can participate in developing a school plan that is consistent with the Goals 2000 legislation. Teachers' involvement in Goals 2000 centers around two issues--the meaning of the phrase "higher standards for all students" and the school-community actions necessary to move every child toward those standards. The document offers suggestions for initiating partnerships and describes how to access relevant information from the United States. Steps include: (1) identify the 10 priorities or essential elements for the school and community and share them with school leaders; (2) compare state standards to those being used in the school and determine areas for improvement; (3) brainstorm with other teaches; (4) join a network of teachers working to improve instruction; (5) create lessons and instructional units based on new or emerging standards; (6) encourage the superintendent and school board to apply for Goals 2000 funding; (7) find out about upcoming changes in the school's assessment program; and (8) reach out to parents. Appendices contain highlights of the Improving America's Schools Act, sample standards, a list of voluntary model standards and standards of projects, examples of student work on standardized assessments, and a list of the National Education Goals and objectives. (LMI)