PSS to recommend ‘changes’ in Praxis II scores

The Public School System and the Board of Education may change its passing score for Praxis II after all.

This comes after the PSS leadership and the board’s Curriculum Instruction, and Assessment Committee met with officials of the Association of Commonwealth Teachers last week and the latter convinced PSS officials that such a move would be beneficial to the CNMI.

“I am happy to announce that the CIA committee of the Board of Education voted unanimously for the committee to reconsider the passing scores for Praxis II pursuant to ACT and COE leadership recommendations in the discussions,” ACT president Betty Miller told public school teachers.

She said the “vote” was approved by all committee members, including the COE and members of her leadership team.

She said there were key points brought up prior to the vote. One of them was the PSS leadership’s response to an ACT research showing that in 41 of the 47 Praxis II exams, the CNMI passing score was higher than the average of all states combined.

“Although the PSS leadership was initially resistant to an adjustment in scores, as it may appear we are lowering teacher standards, ACT asked for clarification as to exactly how the passing scores for Praxis II were initially determined. Reflected in the leadership report is a response indicating Praxis II passing scores were initially aligned with states in which residents of the CNMI are likely to relocate,” Miller’s notice to teachers read.

Given this information, she said ACT requested that “being as the initial cut scores were in no way based on teaching or learning standards, and 41 out of 47 CNMI cut scores were higher than the average of the states, we respectfully request that BOE reconsider the current CNMI cut scores for Praxis II exams to be more aligned with highly qualified teacher standards in the United States.”

Saipan Tribune learned that there was also discussion on topics such as salary restoration and alternatives to Praxis for veteran teachers.

Although no formal action was taken on these matters at the meeting, Miller said it was the first time members of the BOE, COE leadership team, and teachers sat at the same table to have a conversation on the topic, which is the first step toward working collaboratively.

“ACT is hopeful for many future such meetings with open-minded members of the leadership who understand putting students first means being responsive to needs of teachers as well,” Miller said.