The new regulations, at least five years in the making, require each state to issue annual ratings for teacher-prep programs within their borders. Obama administration officials also hope the ratings prod training programs — long criticized as cash cows for universities that produce ill-prepared candidates — to improve. In theory, the agency argued, a strong teacher training program should produce new teachers whose students demonstrate progress on standardized tests. In the regulations to be released Wednesday, the Education Department still requires states to judge teacher training programs based on whether students are learning. Approximately 30,000 students receive TEACH grants each year, compared with more than 400,000 enrolled in traditional and alternative certification programs.

Source: Washington Post October 12, 2016 10:05 UTC