Teacher accountability presents a formidable challenge to improving education quality in developing countries. This article examines the impact of KIAT Guru, a program enacted by the Indonesian government to address this issue. The initiative empowered communities to monitor teacher attendance and evaluate their performance. What impact did KIAT Guru have on teacher behavior and student learning? To answer these questions, we conducted case studies of nine schools. Our analysis highlights the benefits that can flow from a teacher accountability system overseen by community representatives but also underscores the importance of designing that system to fit the local context.