PSS, teachers’ group set dialogue on HQT policy

The Public School System and the Association of Commonwealth Teachers have agreed to revisit the Highly Qualified Teachers’ policy adopted by the PSS board.

According to ACT president Betty Miller, the meeting has been set for this coming week.

The association is pushing for amendments to the existing procedure, including a slight lowering of the passing score for Praxis 2 and additional time for non-English native teachers so they could pass the exam. The members believe that consideration must also be given to veteran non-Highly Qualified Teachers who have proven themselves effective in the classroom.

These requests have been sitting at the management and board committee levels for quite some time now.

Of the more than 500 public school teachers, 66 percent are considered HQT after passing the Praxis tests, completing a degree, and obtaining the valid teaching certificates.

Miller, in an earlier interview, said the policy change is not being proposed just by the group but also by a cross-section of teachers and educational professionals.

According to a report submitted to the board’s fiscal and personnel affairs committee last year, different sample groups were tapped to ensure the recommendations are reflective of the entire educational community rather than just ACT members.

The survey, conducted last year, showed that majority of teachers want the current state plan for HQT amended in favor of creating uniform standards of evaluation. Alternatively, other ways could be found for teachers to demonstrate subject matter competence and meet HQT requirements, with proof consisting of teaching experience, professional development, and subject knowledge.

Many of the respondents said that PSS/BOE sets fair and reasonable scores for Praxis 1 test, while they agreed on the need to adjust the passing scores for Praxis 2. They also sought a 20-minute extension in time for ESL teachers who are taking the test.

An alternative system for veteran teachers to prove competence in content areas after failing a Praxis exam was also supported by majority of respondents. These alternative assessments may include college coursework, student achievement data, performance evaluations, parental surveys, etc.

Majority of the respondents also supported the recommendation for reinstatement of the teachers’ salary or step increases based on a teacher’s good faith effort toward passing the test.

Salaries of non-HQT teachers were slashed due to non-compliance with the requirements. The new compensation plan provided a starting salary of $27,000 for non-HQT up to $47,000 for those who meet the maximum requirements.

ACT wants the BOE to recognize that the current CNMI plan for HQT is “incomplete as it lacks the critical component of input from those most impacted by such a plan—the teachers.”