Data on Texas teachers underscore the need for teacher education programs to prepare increasing numbers of teachers, and for those teachers to be better prepared with strong subject content knowledge and skills to address the diverse student needs they will encounter in the classroom. This paper presents a data profile of the Texas teacher, emphasizing those characteristics that are most closely linked to preparation programs. It also describes the current system for approving professional educator preparation programs and certifying teachers and policy issues being addressed by the State Board of Education as they move toward an outcome-based accountability system. The outcome based institutional accountability system will provide institutions of higher education with the flexibility to design a variety of undergaduate degree preparation programs and alternative cerrtification programs to meet the diverse needs of prospective teachers and respond to the changing needs of students. The report presents statistical tables, with explanations, on: a profile of the Texas teacher; teachers with advanced degrees; gender and ethnicity of teachers and students; teaching experience and teacher turnover; changing focus of State education policy; teacher assessment and evaluation; outcomes for teacher education; and a comparison of Texas and national policy making roles for professional educator preparation and certification. A selected bibliography is included. (LL)