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Head Start teachers must take PRAXIS too
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Posted on Oct 13 2005
Teachers under the Public School System’s Head Start program are now being required to take and pass the PRAXIS tests.
Head Start director Jean Samari announced last week during the Board of Education regular meeting that the program is adopting PSS regulations with regards to teacher certification as well as PRAXIS core knowledge examination requirements, as set in the PSS Regulations for Certified Personnel.
Samari said Head Start, which used to be single session program, has grown into two sessions because of the many teachers that hold bachelor degrees and because of budget constraints.
The program currently employs five site coordinators to operate, manage, and supervise each of the designated sites.
There are 14 lead teachers, 36 teacher assistants, one education coordinator, one Family Community Coordinator, five Family Advocates, one administrative assistant, and one-maintenance supervisor working at Head Start.
“All of the personnel are employed by the Head Start program to provide quality educational, social, medical and nutritional services to eligible children, including children with disabilities and their families,” said Samari
PSS associate commissioner for administrative services David M. Borja said the requirement for Head Start teachers to take PRAXIS is part of the requirement for “Highly Qualified Teacher” designation not only in the CNMI but across the nation.
Head Start teachers are part of the PSS in terms of administration, supervision, and monitoring of programs and services, Borja said, and as such, the teachers must also align with the PSS requirements.
Lead teachers in the Head Start are currently required to have a minimum of either bachelor or AA degrees with Early Childhood Education certification and teacher assistants must have, at a minimum, a high school education.
“A minimum of three and one half hours of educational activities is required for all Head Start programs,” he said.
Public School teachers in the CNMI are required to take and pass both the PRAXIS 1 and 2 tests.
