Acknowledging changes in educational theory, research, and practice that inevitably determine the emphases in preservice teacher education programs, these updated guidelines give teacher preparation policymakers, state and local education leaders, and the public an overview of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes a teacher education graduate needs to begin a career in the classroom. Following an introductory chapter that relates the 1986 guidelines to current aims of language arts instruction, the document is divided into two sections. The first part identifies and defines the knowledge, pedagogical abilities, and attitudes that teachers of English language arts must acquire and develop through their preservice programs knowledge required includes language development; composing and analyzing language; reading and literature; nonprint media; instructional media; evaluation; and research. Pedagogical skills include instructional planning, strategies, and assessment; instruction in oral and written language, reading, literature, and nonprint media, and in language for learning; and instructional uses of emerging technologies; attitudes include concern for students; adaptability; and professional perspective. The second section discusses the kind of campus-based and field-based learning experiences prospective teachers should have during their preservice education and outlines the nature of a preparatory program that incorporates the contents of the first part in the educational experiences of prospective English language arts teachers. (HOD)