In this report on California's teaching force, the authors make two main points: (1) The state needs but does not yet have a system of teacher development that ensures that all who enter the classroom have the knowledge and skills they need to get their students to reach the academic standards the state has set; and (2) The existing distribution of teachers is unfair: the students who live in California's poorest communities, who are in need of the best teachers, are assigned to teachers who are the least prepared to meet their needs. The report is a brief summary of a longer report of substantial new research that examines the size, distribution, preparation, induction, and professional training of California teachers. [This report was produced in part by the Office of the Chancellor of California State University and by the Office of the President of the University of California. It is based on "The Status of the Teaching Profession 2003: Research Findings and Policy Recommendations." Additional funding provided by Washington Mutual. For full report, see ED499333.]