As required by state law, a consortium was developed by Eastern Washington University (consisting of the training institution, 10 school districts, and their professional organizations) whose responsibilities were the development of competencies for special education teacher training, supervision of teacher training programs, and evaluation of candidates for special education. Among competencies selected for the curriculum were knowledge and understanding of the nature, needs, and problems of specific groups of handicapped children, and knowledge and competence in the development, organization, and evaluation of instructional programs for handicapped children. Tenets of the program included field training convenient to rural teacher populations and selection criteria based on teaching assignment, teaching location, current education knowledge, and recommendation of the director of special education in the district. Courses were assembled by grouping competencies that were related. At the conclusion of the 2-year project each student met with his/her advisor and a committee for evaluation; in cases where certification was not awarded mutual agreement was reached for completion of the competencies. (PHR)