This report reflects opinions shared during the 1999 South Carolina Summit on Teacher Quality, highlighting areas of consensus among participants. The Summit examined issues contributing to today's challenges and discussed solutions to ensure adequate numbers of teachers and a good supply of well-qualified and successful teachers in all academic disciplines and all areas of the state. The report examines the background of the problem, highlighting factors affecting teacher quality (teacher shortages and challenges in teacher preparation and professional development) and noting the effect of teacher quality on student learning. A section on presenter viewpoints examines national and state perspectives. A discussion and recommendations section presents suggestions from small-group meetings designed to consider steps South Carolina should take to address the state's teaching, emphasizing solutions to five questions: How can South Carolina ensure an adequate supply of teachers in all areas while preserving and improving standards of teacher quality? What changes are needed in teacher preparation programs to better prepare teachers for the demands of teaching? What specific steps could be taken to improve hands-on, in-class practice experiences for teaching students? Once teachers are trained, what initiatives can be taken to help ensure their success? and How can the state ensure that more teachers feel satisfied with and remain part of the profession? (SM)