The Educational Quality Indicators (EQI) initiative, a collaboration between Alberta Education and 12 school jurisdictions in the province, is described, and its implications are discussed. The EQIs developed are designed to provide information to assist practitioners in assessing the quality of educational programs and the delivery system by focusing on student outcomes. The fundamental principle of the EQI initiative is that no single indicator can fully describe the complexity of education. Many indicators, qualitative and quantitative, will be developed, guided by a four-dimensional model consisting of: partners (schooling, family, and society); conditions (context, inputs, and processes); student outcomes (cognitive, affective, and behavioral); and time (grades 3, 6, 9, and 12). The three criteria for a successful indicator are: (1) the interpretive framework; (2) student outcomes; and (3) points of reference. The modus operandi of the initiative is to sponsor 10 concurrent collaborative action research projects. The implications of the EQI initiative for student learning, system support, and shared responsibility are discussed. Two figures and one table complement the text. (SLD)