In 1973, the Oregon legislature transferred from the State Board of Education to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission full legal authority over teacher certification and decertification and over the accreditation of teacher education programs. With this move, governance of the educational profession was removed from the control of laymen (elected officials, appointed officials) and placed in the hands of practicing educators themselves. Decision making on educational matters was transferred to representatives of the groups affected, i.e., teachers. The movement in the state, over a period of years, culminated in placing Oregon educators in a legal position comparable to that of members of professions such as medicine and law in giving teachers authority to control preparation for, and entry into, their own occupation. (JD)