The articles in this monograph provide a framework for reflecting on a variety of educational issues. In section one the historical roots of teacher education are examined. The second section deals more directly with what a teacher is and how the definitional properties of "the teacher" begin to dictate a curriculum for teacher education. The impact of regulation and testing on teacher education is the focus of the third section. The final chapter describes the nature of the federal government's involvement with teacher education. The following papers were selected from papers prepared for the National Commission for Excellence in Teacher Education: (1) "An Evaluation of the Rationale for Required Teacher Education: Beginning Teachers with and without Teacher Preparation" (Martin Haberman); (2) "From Quantity to Quality Teacher Education in Britain" (Harry Judge); (3) "Recent Reports on Education: Some Implications for Preparing Teachers" (Edward J. Meade); (4) "The Nebraska Consortium for the Improvement of Teacher Education" (Mary M. Kluender); (5) "The Implications for Teacher Education of Computer Technology" (Barbara Dubitsky); (6) "Preparing Teachers for Schools of Choice" (Mary Anne Raywid); (7) "Defining the Excellent Teacher Preparation Program" (Norma Nutter); (8) "Toward a More Desirable Profession" (Sharon P. Robinson); (9) "Testing Teachers for Certification and Recertification" (Eva C. Galambos); (10) "Performance-Based Certification in Georgia: Present and Future" (J. William Leach and Lester Solomon); (11) "Post Certification Development of Teachers and Administrators" (Richard C. Wallace); (12) "Quality Control of Teacher Preparation Programs through the Program Approval Process" (Herman E. Behling); and (13) "Excellence in Teacher Education: Options for a Federal Partnership" (David H. Florio). (JD)