11.   FSU must do something because its accreditation was recently revoked by the national agency that sanctions teacher education programs.

12.   He also said the board would assist the Board of Education, which certifies teacher training programs.

13.   He called on Republicans not to back down from the commitment they made last year to the new teacher program.

14.   In May, responding to several recent studies by educational groups criticizing its teacher training program, Teach for America released a report it had commissioned.

15.   Nor, he added, are teacher education programs, even those located in urban areas, requiring their students to get involved in urban classrooms.

16.   Part of the blame lies with colleges that have resisted federal attempts to improve teacher education programs.

17.   Politicians and public officials tuck tail and run when the subject of weak teacher education programs is mentioned.

18.   Spellings said the new accountability system and the teacher training program could be instituted through an executive order of the president.

19.   That change alone can significantly boost prestige, and desirability, for a school that now is known mostly for teacher programs.

20.   The bill would consolidate more than a dozen existing teacher preparation programs into one program aimed at improving teacher training.