THIS STUDY OF THE PROFESSIONAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL STATUS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS IN 23 COUNTRIES IN THE AMERICAS INCLUDES DATA ON TRAINED AND UNTRAINED TEACHERS AND ON THE PRESENCE, IF ANY, OF PROFESSIONAL TEACHER TRAINING SCHOOLS. THE ECONOMIC SECTION DEALS WITH TEACHERS' SALARIES IN RELATION TO SALARIES FOR OTHER OCCUPATIONS. THE SOCIAL STATUS SECTION COVERS OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL NEGOTIATIONS, BASIS OF APPOINTMENTS, TENURE, RETIREMENT, SOCIAL SECURITY, SICK LEAVE, MATERNITY LEAVE, AND OTHER BENEFITS. APPENDIXES INCLUDE COMPARATIVE DATA ON ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STATUS. (RP)