A task force consisting of individuals representing business, industry, government, public and private sector agencies, higher education, and elementary and secondary education was convened in September 1982 to recommend actions to insure that excellent teachers are attracted to and retained in Connecticut's classrooms. To that end, participants suggested that (1) teachers' starting salaries be made competitive with salaries earned by persons in the private sector with comparable skills; (2) salaries of teachers and administrators be comparable with those earned by individuals in the private sector with similar training, experience, and expertise; (3) the state and local boards of education establish career ladders recognizing the expertise and performance of teachers; (4) districts enact policies encouraging the retention of quality teachers; (5) funds be provided to create or improve professional development programs for educational personnel; (6) a statewide system of cooperative efforts between business and education be established; (7) steps be taken to attract academically superior high school and college students into the teaching profession and to provide them with teacher preparation programs of high quality; and (8) resources be allocated for a public information campaign aimed at improving the public image of the teaching profession. (Names of participants and titles of research reports presented to the task force are listed.) (RH)