Provided is a competency based career ladder model (developed for Colorado) to enable universities and colleges to improve preservice programs for teachers of the moderately and severely retarded, and to aid state and local agencies in planning meaningful inservice programs. Administration requires cooperation of state groups such as the state department of education and the local agency and coordination by a central office. The following dimensions of the model are described: the rationale dimension, which deals with the "product" (student skills to be developed); the job analysis dimension, which comprises prescribed and discretionary activities; the middle management dimension, which is crucial to staff development and motivation; and the growth opportunity dimension, for upward mobility through compensatory planning and training components. Discussed are recommendations for a career ladder model for the state of Colorado. Details of the model are given in the appendix. Listed are responsibilities, duties, prerequisites, and minimum competencies for aide (level 1), training assistant (level 2), teacher or specialist (level 3), and specialist-supervisor/teacher-supervisor (level 4). Performance objectives are specified at each level for the phases of student assessment, program design, program implementation, and program testing. An example of an objective at level 3 (teacher-specialist) for attaining knowledge of developmental disabilities with emphasis on mental retardation (student assessment phase) is: "teacher can write facts about epidemiological variables." (MC)