The purpose of this conference was to identify and examine factors which are increasingly restraining the education, certification, employment, and retention of black teachers. The two-day conference included the presentation of seven papers on the following topics: (1) changes in the faculty and student body populations in black colleges and the interrelated factors which impinge upon the opportunities for entry into teaching and survival on the job; (2) the necessity for black educators and institutions to be actively involved in the design, implementation, and assessment of the minimum competency movement and to be involved in the definition of "basic education;" (3) the importance of teacher involvement with professional organizations, parents, students, and community agencies in forming strong lobbies to affect positive changes in general curriculum and standardized testing; (4) problems and strategies relating to employment and retention of black teachers in order for them to work effectively as advocates for black children; (5) improving the general curriculum in black colleges and preparing preservice students to perform well on the National Teacher Examination; (6) the control of teacher education, policy formation, and governance and the funding of schools of education; and (7) the necessity of a black perspective in educational research. Reports are included of group discussions on: (1) specializing the curriculum: general studies and basic skills for preservice students; (2) recruiting and selecting students; (3) problems in the employment and retention procedures for black teachers; (4) building research skills for teachers; and (5) expanding administrative support. (JD)