Standards for approval of teacher preparation programs in the state of Virginia are presented. These standards represent an "approved program" approach to teacher certification with institutions sharing a great responsibility in determining that their candidates have the necessary qualifications for certification. Emphasis is placed on the recommendations of the institution regarding the qualifications of each candidate for initial certification and on the appropriateness of the institution in such areas as resources, faculty, personnel policies, and facilities. This approach also encourages statewide cooperation among institutions in evaluating achievements and setting goals for improving the quality of teacher education. (MM)