This publication, the result of a series of conferences held between April and October 1989, is a guide to assessing the competence of prospective art teachers in the California public schools. The guide was developed as part of a state-wide response to legislated entry and exit standards for teachers in elementary and secondary schools. An introduction describes the regulations and Executive Orders which are the basis for the guide, and the conference at which it was developed. The opening section, "Principles of Assessment in Art," lists eight key questions and addresses the issues raised in each in detail. The second section, "Areas of Competence," establishes two categories--first generic competencies which are fundamental and, second, components of art subject area expertise (art production, art criticism, art history, and aesthetics). The third section, on sources of assessment information, discusses general guidelines and methods of information gathering including classroom activities, interviews, portfolios, testing, capstone course, academic transcripts and letters of recommendation. The next section offers model assessment formats from three campuses in the California State University system and charts from seven others. The final two sections offer recommendations on advising and point out the mandatory roles that the state and university system play in developing an assessment process. (JB)