Current facts concerning the teaching profession should be analyzed and acted upon. Most college students now studying to enter the teaching profession come from the bottom quarter of those taking the college entrance examinations. Schools and Colleges of Education are held in very low esteem on most campuses; therefore, when budgets are cut, they often suffer most. Many of the best teachers are leaving the profession for more promising work elsewhere. Taxpayers voting for "Proposition 13"-type legislation curb school finances and cut into the education budget. Many teachers' unions and education associations want equal treatment of their members; however, equality of unequals is the source of discontent coming from inside the teaching ranks. Viewed from the eyes of an ambitious, capable young person, teaching is a "dead end job." Teaching lacks a reward system for sustained effort. There are several ways in which the teaching profession can be renewed and revitalized. First of all, colleges and universities must give a higher priority to teacher education, make it a university-wide effort, and infuse more "academic rigor" into the curriculum. Secondly, more academically talented students must be recruited aggressively for the teaching profession. Thirdly, the current teaching system must be enhanced with a Master Teacher Program, which, unlike merit pay programs, offers the teacher a promotion and new title in addition to a salary enhancement. (JMK)