Public schools work on Plan B in transition to full HQT

To prepare for the expected departure of as much as 102 non-highly qualified teachers, Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan has ordered all school principals to develop contingency plans to ensure the smooth operation of classes next school year.

She disclosed to Saipan Tribune Thursday that these plans are due on July 11 and will be based on each school’s projected enrollment and staffing patterns.

The Public School System has over 500 classroom teachers, of which 82 percent are rated highly qualified. That means these teachers have degrees, valid certifications, and have passed two Praxis exams.

Board of Education chair Marylou Ada disclosed that there are still 102 teachers who have yet to pass the Praxis tests but she is confident in their ability to meet this requirement on time.

All public schools will no longer allow non-highly qualified teachers in classrooms after July 31 this year, pursuant to the mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2011.

Sablan and Ada disclosed that many of the 102 non-HQTs are still awaiting results of the tests administered in June, while others are scheduled to take one last exam this month.

“I look forward to the best and I am very optimistic about this. Teachers are working as hard as we are. We’ve been working with principals since February [on this HQT issue] and we’ve been assured that they are working very closely with our human resource office to recruit what is needed for the new school year in the event they are not able to keep one or three of their [non-HQT] teachers,” Sablan said.

According to Ada, PSS does not expect a “big shortage” in classroom teachers since many of the 102 non-HQTs are also retiring teachers while others are just waiting for the test results.

Sablan conceded that some schools may experience an increase in their students-to-teacher ratio due to the lack of one or more teachers but assured that this will not adversely impact student learning since many schools have smaller class sizes such as elementary schools with their 20:1 ratio compared to the 25:1 approved by the education board.

“That’s a possibility…and there’s room for allowing increase in students-to-teacher ratio. But again, it will depend on the contingency plan to be developed by the school principal. We’re asking them to be part of the process and see what’s best for the interest of the school and our students,” added Sablan.

PSS has already spent $2.5 million to help its classroom teachers meet HQT standards since the policy was adopted in 2006.

In school year 2005, PSS only had 81 HQTs, representing just 13 percent of the teacher population. This went up to 56 percent in 2007; 65 percent in 2008; 75 percent in 2009; and 82 percent at present.

PSS has 595 classroom teachers and on average recruits 45-50 new teachers each year to replace those who retire or leave.