This report contains nine papers presented at a conference on methods of improving teaching and teacher education and the role of the universities and professional societies in this effort. The speeches are divided into five sequential levels of "incompetence," denoting increasing involvement and experience with the problem. The report also includes the final recommendations and proposals for action by representatives of each of eleven professional societies. Associations represented in this section include: the American Anthropological Association, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Association of American Geographers, American Economic Association, American Historical Association, American Industrial Arts Association, American Psychological Association, American Political Science Association, American Sociological Association, Modern Language Association (English), and Modern Language Association (Foreign Languages). (RT)