Research suggests that teacher quality is the single most important factor in determining student achievement and that the impact of a teacher is cumulative. Students with less exposure to qualified teachers are far less likely to achieve academic success than students with more exposure. Research also shows that teachers majoring in the subject areas taught have a more positive impact on student achievement than teachers majoring in out-of-field disciplines. Yet teacher certification in many states does not require subject area expertise. Some states and universities have seriously begun examining this issue, exploring initiatives to align student academic content standards with teacher licensure and involving liberal arts faculty in developing teacher training curricula. The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) is committed to improving teacher quality by promoting public awareness of scientifically based teacher quality strategies and market-based initiatives and encouraging reforms that lead to measurable gains in student achievement. NCTQ's efforts to fulfill its mission include: publishing materials that address teacher quality issues, maintaining an online teacher quality information clearinghouse, and helping states, districts, and colleges improve teacher quality. It is also working to develop a national teacher certification board, the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. (Contains 11 references.) (SM)