Because historically black institutions have provided the major share of non-white teachers to the nation's schools, this monograph was prepared to illuminate some of the proactive initiatives which have taken place in four of these black colleges' teacher education programs: (1) Bethune-Cookman College in Florida; (2) Norfolk State University in Virginia; (3) Tuskegee University in Alabama; and (4) Xavier University in Louisiana. Specific attention is devoted to those critical institutional changes which have occurred over the last five years as each has worked to improve the quality of their education graduates and their preservice teacher programs while successfully coping with enrollment declines, higher admissions standards, and major proposals calling for restructured teacher education programs. Information is provided on the following key variables: (1) enrollment and graduation patterns in teacher education since 1985-86; (2) academic standards and curricula; (3) performance on competency and/or certification examinations; (4) other departments/institutional initiatives; (4) placement rates of graduates; and (6) other items of importance related to the success of the program and the potential impact of state policies on their future success. (JD)