The coeditors of the special Summit issue of English Education provide the context for the "crucial moment" that prompted the Conference on English Education (CEE) to take up the task of rethinking issues related to the preparation and continuing professional development of English language arts teachers and teacher educators. The process of developing and enacting the collaborative inquiries before, during, and after this historic event are detailed, as well as an initial analysis of the significance of the Summit undertaking and products.