The challenge of the 21st century: Developing a highly qualified cadre of teachers to teach our nation's diverse student population

The future of millions of children in the United States, especially ethnic minority and low-income children, rests in the hands of policymakers, commu nity leaders, and educators they will never meet. The quality of teaching t hese children will receive depends increasingly on the reforming and restru cturing of teacher preparation and professional development programs in eve ry state. This article examines the impact of the standards reform movement on students, schools, and universities. Relative to that movement, it expl ores the challenges inherent in efforts to recruit, prepare, certify, and r etain highly qualified teachers to serve the increasingly diverse classroom s of the 21st century.