Public-private partnerships done right are a powerful tool for development, providing enduring solutions to some of the greatest challenges. To help familiarize readers with the art of alliance building, the Global Development Alliance (GDA) office has created a series of practical guides that highlight proven practices in partnerships, demonstrate lessons learned, and provide insight on identifying and designing strategic partnerships that will meet their sector-focused development objectives. The purpose of this guide is to provide tips for building public-private partnerships in Basic or Higher Education. Whether an individual is new to alliances or a seasoned expert, in this document, he will find ideas, resources, and information that remove some of the mystery behind alliance building in this sector. Additionally, the author hopes this guide will inspire readers, with its brain-stimulating questions and partnership examples from around the world, to think creatively about designing alliances that will address key challenges wherever they are working. Sections include: Alliance models in education: What works?; Partnership models & agency objectives; What private sector industries are interested in education; Finding a good partner; What partners can offer; Issues to watch; Five ways to get started; Existing USAID mechanisms; Case Study: basic education; and Case Study: higher education. A section on additional ideas and resources conclude the guide. [This publication was prepared by DAI.]