This paper presents information on the development and adoption of a proposal for changes in teacher certification requirements in New Jersey. The proposal "permits the exclusion of college level professional preparation" for certification of elementary and secondary school teachers. Sections of this report discuss: (1) factors leading to the proposal; (2) reactions to the proposal's announcement; (3) teacher educators' response to the proposal; (4) formation of "opposing camps" for and against the proposal; (5) attempts to refute arguments supporting the proposal; (6) the "Thornburn" study of a teacher's experience at a New Jersey college; (7) the Boyer panel and its two-day meeting to define knowledge needed by beginning teachers; (8) related problems college education programs were having; (9) the Jaroslaw Commission, which worked on a framework for the knowledge identified by the panel; (10) the Lacatena Initiative, a booklet reviewing the year's events, with a cover letter containing suggestions for action; (11) changes made to the proposal; (12) a conference at which teacher preparation was discussed in general terms and in the context of recent developments; and (13) adoption of the proposal. (CB)