Teacher Training a Likely Focus of Higher-Ed. Bill

By Mark Pitsch

WASHNGTON--When lawmakers put the final touches on the bill reauthorizing the Higher Education Act of 1965 later this year, it is likely that they will have created new programs te boost teacher education and recruitment.

Often lost in the H.E.A. debate-which has concentrated on the embattled federal financial-aid programs--the teacher-training provisions expected to be included in the act's Title V are welcomed by teacher educators, who view them as symptematic of increasing interest in teacher preparation.

"This is the first time in 15 years I've seen so much interest in teacher education," said Penelope Early, directer of government relations for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. "I think...