Teacher preparation programs are institutions where future teachers acquire the pedagogical content knowledge needed to deliver quality instruction that promotes student achievement. Teacher preparation is the best-determining factor for student achievement. As of 2018-2019, there were 2,172 teacher preparation providers: 1,453 traditional and 495 alternative teacher preparation programs. This study aimed to compare urban school principals' and assistant principals' perceptions of the quality and effectiveness of teaching between alternatively and traditionally certified teachers. This study used survey data to explore the quality and effectiveness of instructional practices using the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching. The study utilized descriptive statistics to describe the overall nature of the data for each of the four domains and 22 components of the Framework for Teaching for each type of teacher preparation program. Four Mann-Whitney U tests were performed on each domain to determine the statistical significance between the two types of teacher preparation programs. Participants were 49 principals and assistant principals from schools within local education agencies in small, medium, and large cities in Pennsylvania. The findings revealed that alternatively certified teachers were perceived as effective in classroom management (M = 2.54) and professional responsibilities (M = 2.65) but less effective in planning and preparation (M = 2.32) and instruction (M = 2.37). Traditionally certified teachers were perceived as effective in all four domains: planning and preparation (M = 2.72), classroom management (M = 2.77), instruction (M = 2.63), and professional responsibilities (M = 2.72). The Mann-Whitney U tests found a statistically significant higher mean perception rating for traditionally certified teachers in one domain: planning and preparation. The results of this study can be used by school leaders recruiting alternatively certified teachers, teacher preparation programs training alternatively certified teachers, and future researchers exploring similar topics. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]