This study investigated whether or not recent educational reform efforts might be related to the level of academic skills of individuals entering teacher preparation programs. A sample of 1991 beginning teacher candidates (n=377) was compared with a sample of 1985 beginning candidates (n=358) entering the same large midwestern institution using Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) and American College Test (ACT) scores as criterion measures. No overall group mean differences were identified between the two groups' ACT scores, but means for two of the 1991 candidates' CTBS language skills scores were statistically lower. The study concludes that educational reform efforts do not appear to have improved the teaching profession's previously limited success in competing with other professions for high aptitude students. Findings suggest that teacher candidates' basic academic skills may have declined over this period of time. (Author/JDD)