Current studies suggest that school districts may not be hiring the most promising graduates of teacher training programs. The first chapter of this publication reviews this research and proposes three possible explanations for the hiring failures: the complexity of the teaching function, insufficient attention to hiring, and inadequate selection techniques. Because teaching is complex, basic skills standards should only be used to establish minimum competency levels rather than desirable levels, high cognitive ability should be prized, and the personal and social skills of candidates should be examined carefully. Attention to recruitment of superior applicants is essential if highly qualified candidates are to be available for selection. Careful and thorough use of interviewing techniques by trained interviewers can improve the selection process in many cases, but additional materials such as transcripts, references, test scores, and such samples of work as videotaped demonstrations should be considered. The second chapter of the report describes ways in which representative Oregon school districts allocate their resources to recruit and select the most qualified candidates. The third chapter summarizes effective employment practices and offers recommendations for both large and small districts. (PGD)