Head Start: Only 6 classroom teachers have degrees

The CNMI Head Start program reported that out of 31 classroom teachers in the program, only a few of them have bachelor degrees.

However, Head Start director Melissa Palacios disclosed to Saipan Tribune that she is optimistic that by school year 2013, the CNMI will fulfill the mandate of the federal government to have at least 50 percent of the program’s classroom teachers attain the bachelor degree requirement.

At present, Palacios revealed that only six of the 31 teachers have bachelor degrees, including one teacher that was expected to graduate last December. The Public School System, she said, was given a deadline of until 2013 to at least have half of its teacher population obtain bachelor degrees.

Of the 31 classroom teachers, the director reported that 16 have associate degrees and are all currently working on their BA degrees at the Northern Marianas College. Confident with these teachers’ commitment to the job, Palacios said by next year the program may have more than half of its teachers holding bachelor degrees.

“50 percent plus one is what we’re aiming for 2013. We have now six [BA degree holders] and since those with AA degrees are working on their BA degrees, we’re expecting our number to go up,” she told Saipan Tribune, adding that she continues to monitor the staffing progress to ensure that the federal mandate will be met.

Saipan Tribune learned that for many years, the Head Start program lost certified and highly qualified teachers to elementary schools.

According to Palacios, classroom teachers for the Head Start program are provided salaries based also on the PSS HQT Compensation Plan which provides annual wages ranging from $28,000 to $35,000 depending on the teachers’ credentials and qualifications.

Palacios admitted to Saipan Tribune that because of limited local funding for the school system, salaries for anticipated BA holders may be affected.

The CNMI Head Start is a federally funded program under the Department of Health and Human Services, which provides developmental services for low-income children ages 3 to 5 and social services for their families. There are 10 centers on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Enrolled children and their families receive services in education, health, parent involvement, and social services. The program has an annual budget of $1.8 million of which over $300,000 is from local government. Each year, the program is mandated to serve only 462 children and as of last week, 121 kids are on its wait list.

Palacios also reported to the Board of Education that the program remains compliant with federal requirements such as the mandated 10 percent enrollment of children with disabilities. This school year there are 58 students with disabilities under the program, which represents 13 percent of the entire population.