Last week, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce took up the Ready to Teach Act (H.R. 2211), the first of any number of bills that will feed into reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. This one seeks to align teacher-training programs with the high standards for accountability and results mandated by No Child Left Behind. It would increase accountability by strengthening reporting measures and obliging teacher preparation programs to provide accurate data on their graduates in useful formats; allow federal funds to be used for innovative methods in teacher preparation programs); and focus training on the skills and knowledge needed to prepare highly qualified teachers. In addition, the bill authorizes three new teacher-training grants aimed at improving the quality of preparation programs and bringing a wider range of candidates into traditional and alternative certification programs.
H.R. 2211, The Ready to Teach Act
"Gingrey, House Education Committee Members Offer Bill to Strengthen Teacher Training Programs," Improve Teacher Quality, Committee on Education and the Workforce press release, May 22, 2003