In the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), a system for continual teacher improvement has a legal and organizational basis. Compulsory teacher self-improvement is necessary both to raise ideological and political standards and to supply knowledge and skills in a time of continuous change. In addition to courses offered through institutes, self education plans are offered by the ministries of education in the republics. Although guidelines are suggested, the individual teacher must determine the design according to needs and motivation. Problems exist in the course offerings for teachers who are instructors in more than one subject area and for those who perform the dual roles of classroom teacher and guidance counselor. More syllabi are necessary for special subject areas, and a sequential approach to training teachers at different experience levels should be followed. A future development must be teacher re-examination and the use of these evaluations to motivate teachers to further self education. (FG)