This report presents the most current national information provided by the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the outlying areas on the quality of novice teachers entering the education field. Forty-nine states have standards for teachers applying for initial certification. All states and outlying areas but one now have some quality standards for teachers. Progress is also evident in the number of alternative pathways to teaching created by states, school districts, nonprofit groups, and schools of education. Eighty-five percent of states now have these programs. This year's report highlights the essential principles for building outstanding teacher preparation programs in the 21st century and focuses on the critical teaching skills all teachers must learn. In particular, all teacher preparation programs must provide teachers with solid and current content knowledge and essential skills. These include the abilities to use research-based methods appropriate for their content expertise; to teach diverse learners and to teach in high-need schools; and to use data to make informed instructional decisions. Successful and promising strategies for promoting these skills include making teacher education a university-wide commitment; strengthening, broadening, and integrating field experience throughout the preparation program; strengthening partnerships; and creating quality mentoring and support programs.