This paper examined some of the issues surrounding the Arizona Teacher Proficiency Examination (ATPE), including the rationale for teacher testing, the Arizona approach to testing, and selected student outcomes. Arizona moved from Legislative directive in April 1980, to the implementation of the Arizona Teacher Proficiency Examination in June 1981. The Basic Skills component of the ATPE was a four hour, 150 question test made up of three parts: reading, grammar, and mathematics. A passing grade was 80 percent on each subtest. In April 1984, legislation was signed requiring students entering teacher education programs to pass the Basic Skills exam. Failure rates were particularly high among minorities, with the overall minority failure rate averaging 69 percent. Reasons for testing at the entry level were discussed, and exam scores were compared with other measures of student ability. Alternatives were offered to basic skills testing. (LMO)