In 1991, the Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Education Association agreed to establish the STAR Program, a joint commitment to staff development and professional support. After a year and a half of collaboration, the program became a reality in February 1993.

The STAR Program consists of two components, one for newly-hired teachers and one for experienced teachers.

The newly-hired staff component of the STAR Program offers all newly-hired teachers the support, advice, and direction necessary to make their first year's experience in the Seattle Public Schools as successful as possible. Consulting teachers work with newly-hired teachers and coach, assist, and assess their classroom performance.

The intervention staff component of the STAR Program offers all available resources within the school system to help experienced teachers who are having serious difficulties in the performance of their professional duties. In close cooperation with the building principal, the STAR consulting teacher works to identify weaknesses in teaching skills, develops specific performance goals, offers support and monitors the progress of each intervention participant. Other school system personnel assist in the program when requested by the STAR Panel.