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The effort to make the Connecticut Elementary Education Certification Examination (EECE) reflect the skills and knowledge essential to successful beginning teaching is described. This instrument is planned as part of an assessment system being created by the Connecticut State Department of Education. The first element of the program is a basic skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics, administered in the undergraduate program. The second element--the EECE--is given to those who have passed a basic skills exam, have a degree, and have completed of a teacher education course as a prerequisite to an initial teaching certificate. The EECE underscores the importance of subject matter (SM) knowledge, but recognizes that in the classroom, SM is fused with pedagogy. Thus, the integration of SM and pedagogical knowledge is evaluated with classroom-relevant materials that allow examinees to make decisions that closely reflect demands of teaching. SM knowledge and integrated knowledge of subject and pedagogical techniques are assessed through materials-based test items that include multiple-choice questions. Pedagogical knowledge is assessed by traditional multiple-choice items and videotaped stimulus items. A completed trial videotape includes 11 test items; these simulations allow examinees to make observations and decisions that approximate teaching demands. A flowchart illustrates the program structure. (SLD)