This research examined teacher behavior as a primary source of data collection and analysis for study of teacher failure. The results of two studies using the teacher-perceived problems procedure developed by Donald R. Cruickshank are reported. Study I surveyed 120 experienced elementary teachers enrolled in a master's program; Study II involved a sample of student teachers engaged in a Right-to-Read Project. All subjects completed the Teacher Problems Checklist (TPC) based on 66 most common problems identified by teachers. The two studies revealed significant limitations in the TPC instrument's validity and accountability for geographic and cultural variables. (MM)