This booklet, which outlines the knowledge and skills that should be guaranteed by graduation from a teacher education program, advocates a strong emphasis on general education, the disciplines underlying pedagogy, the teaching specialty content, and an enriched study and practice of pedagogy. A profile is offered of the competencies beginning teachers should command and of the qualities that should be contained in programs offered by schools of education. Principal elements of critical components in teacher education are discussed: (1) general education component, which provides a sound foundation in the liberal arts and sciences; (2) preprofessional studies, in which prospective teachers study subjects that provide a theoretical base and related skills in the social and behavioral sciences; (3) academic specialization component, the in-depth study of the subject that the prospective teacher will teach; and (4) professional studies component, which transforms the educated individual into a professional teacher. It is pointed out that field and clinical laboratory experiences enable teacher candidates to master pedagogical knowledge and skills to a level which allows them to enter the classroom with the confidence of knowing how to cope with planned and unexpected events. (JD)