In 1983, New Jersey's governor, Tom Keane, proposed the Alternative Path to Certification as a means to alleviate the state's growing teacher shortage. At least 12 other states are now using similar plans to recruit teachers possessing liberal arts bachelor's degrees who have passed a standardized test and completed successfully a one-year supervised internship in a local school district. The plan allows recruitment of individuals without traditional teacher training, limits or eliminates emergency certificates, and provides new opportunities for candidates to enter the teaching profession before making other career commitments. Disadvantages include opening the profession to ill-prepared candidates, using a simplistic means to solve a major manpower problem (particularly in urban schools), and eroding pedagogical standards promulgated by higher education and state authorities. Growing demands for alternative path candidates have also emerged. More assessment is needed as alternatively certified teachers progress and as arrogant, pompous certification laws, which serve as barriers to bright liberal arts students, are challenged. The alternative path remains a significant response to today's teacher shortage. Whether it resolves or exacerbates that shortage remains a complex dilemma faced by schools everywhere. Included are 13 references. (Author/MLH)