The number of states mandating competency testing of teachers grew from three in 1977 to 30 in 1982, and 12 states are in the planning stages. An emerging trend is the requirement of a year of internship prior to issuance of a teaching certificate. (MT)

Legislative and/or state department of education mandates requiring some form of competency assessment of teachers are currently in force in 38 states. An additional seven states report planning activity, and only five states report no plans to test the competency of teachers. Descriptions are given of competency assessment activities in each…

The implementation of uniform standards for assessing prospective teachers' competencies in basic skills prior to admission is growing rapidly. There is also a trend toward increasing the grade point average required for admission. Policies on admission to teacher education programs reflect concern about the decline in both the number and quality…