Originally co-authored by Bryan Hassel and Lucy Steiner, this guide was recently updated by the Learning Point Associates through funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Science as a resource for schools and districts to gain a better understanding of the issues involved in embarking on a partnership with an external provider. The guide is designed to provide a step-by-step approach to selecting a high-quality provider, establishing an effective partnership agreement, and evaluating the success of the partnership.