by Krystal Paco

Guam - Senator Frank Aguon, Jr. Is requesting that Department of Education superintendent Jon Fernandez extend the deadline for teachers who failed to meet December's deadline to pass the praxis examination. Aguon says he's concerned that changes in employment and compensation may cause undue disruption in the classroom, especially if teachers decide to resign from their roles.

Aguon says, "I see little harm in resolving the certification issues at the conclusion of the term - these instructors, after all, had been trusted with educating our students long prior to the new requirement."

Fernandez tells KUAM News of the 44 teachers who failed to pass the Praxis Certification Test, 39 opted to step down into limited term status to take effect Thursday, January 17, which is the start of second semester. Only two of the 44 resigned, 1 retired, and the remaining two teachers moved to content areas they were certified in.

Fernandez adds DOE is actively recruiting from the University of Guam School of Education. Of the 25 recent graduates, 14 are moving along in the hiring process and will soon be teaching in the classroom.

Fernandez later today responded to Aguon, clarifying the deadline to pass the certification exam was December 1, 2012 and all affected teachers were given the option to remain employed with doe in limited-term status. Thirty-nine of those teachers did so and will start January 17 under those terms. Fernandez adds that the certification requirements are set by the Guam Commission on Educator Certification and current requirements were ratified by the Guam Legislature. In his capacity as superintendent, Fernandez contends his responsibility was to bring DOE into compliance with such laws and regulations.