Deadline looms for 44 DOE teachers

by Krystal Paco

Guam - The December 1 deadline stands for 44 Department of Education teachers who have struggled to pass the Praxis-I certification test and face the possibility of losing their jobs. DOE superintendent Jon Fernandez says he's met with the affected teachers and presented options, including voluntarily stepping down to a limited-term position so they may stay in the classroom to keep from disrupting the school year. as well as grant more time to meet the cutoff score to pass the certification test later in the year.

The Guam Education Board tried to give these teachers a lifeline, but was unable to. Said Fernandez, "So at the board meeting there was an attempt to grant emergency certification and the commission, who'd have to approve that, basically said that these teachers had basically had taken advantage of the authorized extension periods so there weren't any extension options available."

Fernandez says limited-term teachers have the potential to be replaced should a certified teacher be available for hire and school principals express the need for a fully-certified teacher in the classroom.

Fernandez will follow-up on Monday before taking any further action.