The relationship between good teaching and student achievement elevates the importance of teacher quality in the eyes of parents, educators, and policymakers. While some teachers may have a special gift to help students learn, good teaching encompasses critical elements, such as knowledge of the learning process, child development, teacher experiences, academic ability, and content knowledge. The notion of "highly qualified teachers" is the backbone of recently enacted U.S. federal legislations such as the "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001" (NCLB) and other similar initiatives. Teacher preparation is instrumental in improving performance of all students. This policy brief reviews current research, policies, and practices in teacher certification systems with the purpose of assisting regional policymakers in examining their own systems, addressing necessary changes, and proposing policy changes to their own legislatures, parliaments, or governing boards. Appended are: (1) INTASC Model Standards for Beginning Teachers; and (2) Exemplary Alternative Teacher Certification Programs. (Contains 2 figures, 8 tables, and 15 endnotes.)