This publication describes the systems that prepare secondary school teachers in five randomly selected countries: England, Wales, France, Germany, and The Netherlands. The most common theme among these teacher education programs is that the systems are in a constant state of change; the changes come mostly as nations try to adapt the ways they prepare their teachers for all kinds of new socioeconomic and political realities. This report presents an overview of the way these countries structure the education and training of secondary school teachers and illustrates some elements of change in the systems. Each description is followed by some commentary on recent changes in that system and by general remarks about several key developments getting under way. The paper concludes with a discussion of new realities teachers are confronted with on a daily basis. (Contains 21 references.) (LL)