This article addresses the questions, "How should we evaluate the quality of teaching?" and "What kind of evaluation system will move all California teachers on a path of improvement throughout their careers?" The article, adapted from a report written by a group of accomplished California teachers, recommends seven core principles to develop a system of teacher evaluation that provides meaningful and ongoing inputs and moves teachers on a path of continuous improvement throughout their careers. It also addresses some of the elements of accountability that the state system writ large can adopt to create a system that fosters high-quality teaching.