This book examines the appropriateness and technical quality of teacher licensure tests currently in use, evaluating teacher licensure tests and examining the use of tests to hold states and institutions of higher education accountable for the quality of teacher preparation and licensure. It also suggests alternatives for developing and assessing beginning teacher competence. Data come from research by a Committee on Assessment and Teacher Quality of the National Academy of Sciences. The nine chapters focus on: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Defining Teacher Quality"; (3) "Testing and Licensing Beginning Teachers"; (4) "Developing an Evaluation Framework for Teacher Licensure Tests"; (5) "Evaluating Current Tests"; (6) "Using Licensure Tests to Improve Teacher Quality and Supply"; (7)"Using Licensure Tests for Accountability"; (8) "Improving Teacher Licensure Testing"; and (9) "Conclusions and Recommendations." Seven appendixes include Public Law 105-244 105th Congress; teaching standards of various organizations; Educational Testing Service and National Evaluation Systems teacher licensure tests; teacher requirements in six states; an economic model of supply and demand for teachers; alternative assessment case studies; and biographic sketches of committee members. (Contains 216 references and an index.) (SM)