by Krystal Paco
Guam - With a looming
December 1 deadline to pass the Praxis test, it appears the Guam Legislature
and the Guam Commission for Educator Certification will not lower their
standards for more than 40 teachers who have yet to pass the Praxis-I Certification
Exam. Senator Aline Yamashita met with superintendent Jon Fernandez, Speaker
Judi Won Pat, and the Certification Commission last week to discuss the fate of
these teachers who may lose their jobs next month.
"I will say that this legislature and the previous
legislature has put into effect the Guam Certification Education Council with
the mind that that kind of body is needed to ensure that the standards are high
and are adhered to," the senator said.
Yamashita says the University of Guam's School of Education has
more than 20 students ready to graduate as well as retirees who would like to
return to the classroom should the 40 teachers lose their jobs.
The superintendent has already said that he also agrees that the
standards should not be changed.
The issue meanwhile is expected to be brought up during Wednesday's
Guam Education Board meeting.
