DOE teachers need to pass the test or hit the road

by Krystal Paco

Guam - Time is up for 44 Department of Education teachers to pass the Praxis-I Certification Test. These teachers were given a deadline of December 1 and may face the ultimatum of losing their jobs. To keep from disrupting the school year however, Department of Education superintendent Jon Fernandez has presented options, including allowing these teachers to voluntarily step down to a limited term position. Limited term teachers receive lower pay than fully certified teachers and may also be replaced by a fully certified teacher should one be available for hire.

Fernandez says most of the teachers have expressed willingness to step down into limited term positions as they continue to work to meet the cutoff scores of 173 in reading, 170 in writing, and 170 in math subtests.

Earlier this month the Guam Education Board made an attempt to step in, but failed to do so because affected teachers had taken advantage of all authorized extensions to pass the test.

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