Public concern about the effectiveness of education institutions and the accompanying loss of public confidence in the nation's schools has revealed itself in a growing complaint that too many teachers cannot teach. This criticism, while not fully substantiated, has resulted in efforts to establish means for testing teacher competency, seen as one of many ways to improve education. Presently, 20 states require or will require, by a definite date in the future, applicants for teacher certification to be tested for competency in either the basic skills, subject matter knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, or some combination of these. State policies, rooted in the concern for educational improvement, are also concerned with the issue of testing teachers--whether or not it will result in, or contribute to, the improvement of education. Perhaps there are other viable alternatives to teacher candidate testing that will contribute as well or better to educational improvement. Some suggestions include: (1) raising standards for admission to teacher education programs; (2) strengthening the institutional accreditation process; (3) requiring internships before granting certification; (4) requiring continuing education on the job; (5) reforming teacher education programs; (6) lengthening preservice education; and (7) increasing teacher salaries. (JMK)