By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THIRTEEN public school principals on Saipan, Rota and Tinian may lose their jobs if they fail to pass the Praxis tests before the July 31 deadline.
Of the CNMI’s 20 public school principals, only seven are considered highly qualified and certified for the job.
Public School System federal programs officer and acting finance director Tim Thornburgh yesterday said figures from the human resource office show that the 20 principals have taken the Praxis tests and are awaiting the results.
“We’re confident that before July 31, all our 20 school principals will be highly qualified. We also hope that at least 75 percent of our teachers, at the end of this school year, will be considered highly qualified,” Thornburgh said.
PSS has 505 teachers of whom 314 have already passed the Praxis tests.
PSS now requires its principals, vice principals and teachers to pass the tests so that the school system can comply with the highly qualified educators mandate of the federal No Child Left Behind Act and continue getting federal grants.
Although PSS was given an extension by the U.S. Department of Education, Thornburgh said “we need both our teachers and principals to pass the rigorous tests as soon as possible.”
Under the No Child Left Behind Act’s requirement, a teacher has to have a degree, certification and pass a rigorous test which, in the CNMI’s case, is Praxis.
Thornburgh said in case the 13 principals will not pass Praxis, PSS will have to replace them.
But those who fail to pass the tests before the deadline can still be hired as substitutes by PSS, he added.
Among the vice principals, 15 have passed both Praxis tests, 18 passed Praxis 2, and 19 passed Praxis 1.
Next school year, Thornburgh said PSS may need 60 to 80 additional teachers for all its schools.
“This is in anticipation of those teachers who will retire this year and replacements for those who may not pass the rigorous tests,” he said.
He added that PSS is “achieving some success” in recruiting additional teachers for its schools, and has been continuously receiving applications from off-island candidates.