This study was conducted in order to determine how beginning teachers evaluated preservice teacher education and performance. A survey was conducted of University of North Florida graduates who had been hired by school systems within the state of Florida. The graduates were asked to rate themselves on 27 generic teaching competencies and to write comments on their strengths and weaknesses during the beginning year of teaching. They were also asked to provide suggestions for improving teacher education preparation programs and to discuss opportunities for ways in which colleges and universities could better work with beginning teachers. Analysis of both ratings and written comments indicates that skills such as classroom management and organization were reported both as areas of strength and weakness. The beginning teachers rated themselves strong in interpersonal skills but had concerns about their conferencing skills. They tended to want a more reality-based teacher preparation program with more field experiences and hands-on experiences. Their recommendations included establishment of support groups, telephone hot lines, and seminars on problem areas. Appendixes include participants' responses to five survey questions. (Author/LL)