The governor of Tennessee has proposed a Better Schools Program designed to improve the state's school system, attract more and better-paying jobs to the state, and help retain the best teachers. The Master Teacher component of the program, if adopted, will set up four certificated career stages for teachers: (1) apprentice; (2) professional; (3) senior; and (4) master. The last three stages will provide salary awards for teachers who meet certain experience and performance criteria and who receive the recommendation of the Master Teacher Certification Commission. This Commission is the key to success for the Master Teacher Program. To be a legitimate evaluation authority, it must be made up of qualified people who judge teachers according to objective standards. The state legislature - even though it hasn't yet passed the Better Schools bill - has authorized the establishment of an Interim Commission to develop teacher evaluation criteria. The Interim Commission is also selecting the state's first 75 Master Teachers who will be called on to implement the evaluation system at the regional and local levels. A financial incentive will help make teaching a fully professional career, draw the best young people, retain and challenge them to do even better, and inspire excellence in the classroom by rewarding excellence in teachers. (JW)