This book focuses on how school administrators deal with the problem of teacher incompetence. Data were derived from three research studies conducted in California: interviews with 30 school administrators; a mailed survey of 141 school district superintendents; and a case study of a school district with a relatively high rate of induced teacher resignations and early retirements. The introductory chapter discusses the nature of teacher incompetence, the ways in which administrators detect it, and the underlying causes of incompetence in the classroom. Chapters 2-4 discuss the three types of administrative responses to the problem of teacher incompetence: tolerance of poor performance; attempts to salvage the teacher; and efforts to induce resignation or premature retirement. The nature of a dismissal proceeding and its aftermath are described in the fifth chapter. Chapter 6 describes how a California school district responded to pressure to prune its staff by implementing a policy that made reductions on the basis of performance rather than seniority. Suggestions for school policies to ensure competent teachers--selection, tenure, and evaluation--are offered in the seventh chapter. The final chapter summarizes the findings on five interrelated policy issues: selection, treatment of beginning teachers, the granting of tenure, the revoking of tenure, and the creation of organizations that encourage ownership of the problem. Three tables, one figure, and an index are included. Appendices contain methodological notes. (Contains 141 references.) (LMI)