The significance of competency assessment for schools of education is explored with emphasis on developments at the state level and in specific teacher education programs. Multidimensional quality indicators of teacher preparation programs are suggested in the first paper. Other papers present an overview of state legislative reactions to competency assessment and case studies of developments in Oklahoma, Georgia, Louisiana, and Florida. Competency assessment and testing procedures at Xavier University (Louisiana), the National College of Education (Illinois), and Northern Kentucky University are reviewed in separate essays. In a paper on the implications of competency assessment for historically black colleges and minority students, positive and cautious points are made, and steps for pursuing excellence in minority teacher education are noted. The final article is a futuristic view for assessing competence in teaching in the 1980s written for an imaginary 1990 teacher education journal. In a "futuristic review" of the developments in the 1980s, the 1989 "author" concludes that teachers gained control of their own competency assessment and professional development in the 1980s. (FG)