Explores the role of teacher evaluation and suggests ways professionalism might be achieved through the evaluation process. Recommends that peer review might be an important means of defining and enforcing professional standards in teaching. (DR)

Acknowledges that the content and structure of competency examinations is open to debate. Reviews professional examinations in other fields of expertise such as accounting, law, and medicine, in an effort to establish the value of such examinations in the teaching profession. (DR)

Suggests that the latest calls for educational reform have come from politicians, not educators, and warns that merit pay is an ineffective means of improving the quality of teaching. Points out that career ladders may work well as incentives, but only under carefully regulated conditions. (DR)

Finds fault with federal and local attempts to improve and influence the teaching profession. Points out that federal and professional standards are fruitless or counterproductive in the absence of local organizations that can apply them in the classroom. (DR)