Radar coverage is pretty good around the "J-curve" (east and south east coast) and I know student pilots around here (YMMB) are encouraged to request it from ATC on their long navs, if only to stop them (a) getting lost and (b) busting the Class Charlie on the way back in.. but IMHO if it isn't on the syllabus/flight test it isn't going to be something an instructor wants to waste precious time on, especially if the student's english proficiency is less than perfect. (I mean, how many student pilots actually know where they ARE at all times?)
I'm currently doing a Night VFR rating and VFR Flight Following is one of the tools I have to use.