PSS raises criteria in hiring of teachers

The Public School System now has higher expectations when it comes to selecting qualified teachers to tread on the system’s teaching field.

It now prefers teachers with a background on Education from merely a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree on any subject area.

Although PSS technically still has the capacity to take in applicants with any type of BA or BS degrees, Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos said it is “preferable” that they possess the necessary teaching skills to take on the position.

“Definitely our expectations are higher. We believe these are the standards that will bring us the quality of teachers, administrators, councilors, paraprofessionals, of any category that we want,” said Dr. Inos.

“I would like to see that when we place mathematics teachers, that they have a very solid math background,” she added.

There are currently over 600 CNMI teachers, under both local and federal funds.

Though there has been a dire need to fill up the many unoccupied teaching positions since the implementation of austerity measures in April 1998, PSS is still faces limited funds to recruit all the teachers it needs.

Dr. Inos last week has also brought before the Board of Education some classroom teacher qualification standards that need further reviewing.

According to her, PSS is now looking at minimum qualifications of classroom teacher certification standards and at the same time minimum qualifications which include not just teachers but also school principals, vice principals, classroom teachers, paraprofessional classroom teachers, specialized teachers (in the area of special, vocational, and bilingual education).

It further encompasses other content areas such as math, science, and social studies.

PSS is also eyeing to create an impact on two major areas in teacher standards.

It assesses the qualifications which make an individual eligible for the teaching position versus maintaining that certified professional in the system knowing the list of requirements.

“Hopefully this will address the need to for PSS to provide students with the best possible learning experience based on qualifications, knowledge, content knowledge as well as the ability for everybody to perform their duties in the manner that is best interest to the system and students,” said Dr. Inos.