This report suggests how West Virginians might improve public policy in ways that positively affect all classrooms in the state and describes an approach to improve teacher education. Ten areas of responsibility are discussed: (1) upgrading teacher education programs to make the academic area of study more rigorous and effective; (2) streamlining and simplifying certification standards and the process; (3) examining the range of nontraditional approaches to augment the teaching force including, but not limited to, alternative certification and National Teacher's Exam Testing; (4) establishing a delivery system in higher education for the graduate level in-field salary classification; (5) surveying the need for teachers by identifying possible areas of teacher shortage and oversupply; (6) examining the range of possibilities for using technologies such as distance learning and computers to augment traditional educational delivery systems; (7) examining and developing retraining and professional development activities for experienced teachers; (8) examining the structure and governance of the state education system as related to teacher education; (9) examining the range of approaches to assessment and accountability for teacher preparation programs; and (10) analyzing the fiscal basis for teacher education in West Virginia and establishing the cost of each of the recommendations of the task force. An appendix includes a task force membership list, a list of characteristics of the ideal teacher, and a list of task force projects. A list of 287 "works consulted" concludes the document. (LL)