In Arizona, beginning teachers applying for certification must take the Arizona Teacher Proficiency Examination which tests professional knowledge, reading, mathematics, and grammar. The high failure rate on the grammar test has caused a great deal of concern; 40 percent of the examinees, and a higher percentage of minority groups, failed it in 1984. Interviews with examinees who had taken the grammar test indicated they recalled questions which concerned writing conventions, grammatical structure, writing, and editing. Major concerns about test validity were expressed by an experienced journalist who felt that the concepts tested were controversial. In addition, the accepted definition of grammar varies from expert to expert, as does the value of teaching traditional grammar for writing instruction. A number of opinions defining appropriate English usage, grammatical etiquette, or standard classroom English are held by the public, educators, state legislators, and test developers. It is recommended that these persons understand that the English language, and therefore the definition of appropriate grammar, is constantly changing. (GDC)