A conceptual framework is constructed to integrate teacher actions, teacher knowledge, and state of the art assessment methodologies. Section 1 discusses teaching in terms of tasks, and Section 2 considers the knowledge base teachers draw on in order to accomplish those tasks. Section 3 illustrates the relationship between teacher actions and teacher knowledge. Section 4 details assessment forms appropriate for measuring teacher knowledge and actions. Section 5 brings together actions, knowledge, and assessment forms to describe a program of teacher assessment in four stages. Stage 1 is a checkpoint designed to protect the prospective teacher's students from educational harm by examining the teachers's enabling skills. Stage 2 addresses the teacher's content knowledge and teaching skills and knowledge. In Stage 3, whether the entry-level teacher can apply the skills and knowledge in the classroom is assessed. Stage 4 then asks if the teacher can demonstrate professional excellence over time. This conceptual framework may help in planning appropriate teacher assessments for the future. (Contains 4 figures and 123 references.) (SLD)