PSS approves 20-minute extension for ESL Praxis takers

Non-highly qualified educators who are not natural English-speakers will now be given 20 more minutes to complete the Praxis test after the Board of Education approved a request from the Association of Commonwealth Teachers.

Board of Education vice chair Herman T. Guerrero disclosed the decision to Saipan Tribune, adding that Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan has already sent a memorandum to school principals telling them of the extension.

“A memo has been sent out to the school principals on that matter,” he said after Thursday night’s board meeting.

He said the commissioner is now determining the number of affected teachers and she is expected to work on this with the testing centers.

ACT president and vice principal of San Vicente Elementary School Betty Miller described the decision as appropriate and acceptable.

“This is one of several recommendations ACT made in our research project. …This means teachers who are certified as ESL through Northern Marianas College will now be granted a 20-minute time extension during exams. As the majority of the teachers in the CNMI are non-native English speakers, ACT felt this accommodation was appropriate and acceptable. We do not believe allowing a few extra minutes to read something carefully on an exam that is not in your native language affects the integrity of the exam or the test taker’s ability to teach the subject matter,” she told Saipan Tribune.

Highly qualified teacher requirements are set by the PSS in its goal to meet the federal mandate of the No Child Left Behind Act. These personnel must obtain a degree, valid teaching certificates, and passed the Praxis tests.

During Thursday’s board meeting, Sablan said that ACT has four concerns regarding the HQT policy: what PSS can do to help non-HQT teachers, the seemingly “high” test scores set by the policy, the time allowed for non-English test takers, and the restoration of teachers’ salary.

Of these concerns, restoring the salary of teachers is the least likely to considered, at least for now.

“I don’t believe the majority of the board would support the proposal…because I feel it’s not fair to those who already passed the requirement. It would serve as an ‘injustice’ to those who have passed the test. It’s like they’re changing the rules in the middle of a game,” Guerrero said.

Miller, during the board meeting, emphasized that the association has not yet been given the opportunity to present or discuss its research project and recommendations to the full board.

The BOE in 2006 slashed the salaries of teachers who have yet to pass the Praxis test and comply with the other HQT requirements.

“The board and the PSS need to be cautious on this matter…because we need to clarify what our intentions are: Are we more interested in providing them the salary or teaching our kids?” Guerrero asked.

The U.S. Department of Education has given PSS until July 31, 2011, to meet the highly qualified teacher mandate, which requires all teachers in subject areas to be HQT.

Sablan, during the meeting, reported that PSS has scheduled various teachers’ institute to better assist non-HQT personnel.