Since speech communication is experiencing numerous changes, it is useful to examine some of the causes of inadequate teaching in the field and various ways to solve the problems. Some causes of poor teaching are (1) the small value placed on university teaching compared to other criteria for tenure and promotion; (2) the classification or divisions existing in tenure and promotion standards (such as teaching, research or creative work, and service); (3) boredom from teaching the same material repeatedly; and (4) pressures to remain in an unchanging program. Solutions to the problems involve determining the nature and extent of the difficulty, specifically whether content expertise or delivery skills are involved. Delivery skills can be judged by student evaluations, which are most effective if not too severe. Established centers for developing teacher competence emphasize the effort to recognize and reward effective teaching as much as research is rewarded. Finally, teaching competence can be increased through workshops, instructional development programs, or from sharing suggestions with supportive, nonevaluative colleagues. (The endnotes contain 15 suggestions for establishing an effective, nonthreatening evaluation program.) (EL)