The Texas Examination of Current Administrators and Teachers (TECAT) is a basic literacy test that was administered to 202,000 educators in Texas in March 1986. An in-depth case study was undertaken to examine the effects of the TECAT. The 2-year project involved 10 separate data-collection studies including structured interviews with key legislators and aides; interviews with educators, personnel directors, and Texas citizens; a compilation of legislative and press materials; an analysis of test results; participant observation in test-preparation workshops; a content analysis of relevant newspaper stories; a survey of study materials; and cost analyses. The political climate surrounding the administration of the test was studied. While it had not been expected that more than 5-10% of teachers would fail, Texas teachers spent a great deal of time preparing for the test, including sponsored workshops. The cost to the state was much greater than expected. Many teachers with poor skills did pass the test, but vocational and special education teachers were overrepresented among those who did not pass the test. Many teachers indicated, in response to an interview survey of 96 educators, that having to take the test was demoralizing, and that publicity about failures and the ease of the test had an adverse impact on the public perception of teachers. There are 13 tables of data and six illustrative figures. A nine-item list of references is included. Seven appendices contain supplemental information about the testing process, including the interview protocol and the teacher and personnel director phone surveys. (SLD)