A study (conducted as part of the Teacher Education Redesign Project, University of Akron) determined the perceptions of first year teachers regarding their preservice preparation. Perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of teacher training programs were sought pertaining to 17 competencies that were collected during follow-up studies of 233 graduates. The three areas that first year teachers felt most comfortable in were (in decreasing order): (1) writing and using lesson plans; (2) knowledge of subject matter; and (3) teaching reading. The three areas that these teachers felt weak in were (in decreasing order): (1) writing legibly on chalkboard; (2) working with parents; and (3) knowledge and skills in computer based instruction. The teachers implied that those courses generally characterized as foundations were less valuable than those in methods and in their content areas. Teachers also felt that more time with students in actual teaching situations was needed. The 17 competencies and their rank ordering are included as well as other areas which teachers felt should be added to or deleted from teacher preparation programs. (CB)