Clarification on PRAXIS, PSS, and BOE

Because of the importance of this issue, I believe it is “vital” that misleading information be clarified. The reason I say this is because the Board of Education chair is misleading the general public about the 80 percent of teachers passing PRAXIS. What he should have said, which is what was printed in the Saipan Tribune “80 percent of the teachers that have taken the tests are passing.” The 80 percent of teachers that have passed are the number I released “three completed both tests, 72 completed PRAXIS I and three, which is not 10 have completed PRAXIS II. Eighty percent of all PSS teachers HAVE NOT passed the tests. Anyone can verify this public information with the human resource department.

As for PSS standing to lose $10 million, that is exactly what I was trying to prevent, but it seems even this has been twisted. Given the limited number of teaches that have taken the test, there is clearly a reason for concern and the commissioner also agreed in the meeting, which is also public record. I furnished the board “proof” that all teachers don’t have to take PRAXIS. Almost 50 percent of Tennessee’s teachers are bring certified as “Highly Qualified” based on their portfolio. Tennessee and many other states are using this approach to “guarantee” they meet the 100-percent requirement for Highly Qualified Teachers under NCLB. In fact, non of Guam’s present teachers had to take PRAXIS, they used portfolios and only the new incoming teachers have to take PRAXIS, so why do we have to reinvent the wheel?

Our present plan calls for “substitutes” if every teacher doesn’t take and pass PRAXIS. Given the potential for a major portion of our teaching staff to become substitutes, WE WILL NOT MEET THE 100-percent requirement with a system full of substitutes, which is not in the best interest of our system and it will jeopardize the $10 million. I offered a plan that is being used by many other states that will guarantee we meet the 100 percent. We are quickly approaching the 11th hour for PRAXIS, which is why I brought the matter to the board’s attention. But if Mr. Borja and Mr. Benavente want to continue with the gamble that all teachers will take and pass PRAXIS with substitute back ups, then we know whom to hold accountable for what happens at the beginning of the next school year.

I was just presenting the facts to the board but it twisted as usual-subjectivity. I am telling teachers every day to take PRAXIS, which is idealistic, but we all know as seen in other states that “reality” sets in on even the best idealistic plans. I tried to help and I still believe tenure and portfolios are the best and safest bet. So we will see next year if it’s all teachers in one direction with PRAXIS.

Ambrose Bennett
Kagman