The report, which was discussed by Hopwood Junior High School principal Jonas Barcinas, stated that the PSS goal is to have more effective and highly qualified personnel starting this year.
Barcinas said as of last year, 29 percent or 166 personnel of PSS were “not highly qualified teachers” while 71 percent or 415 were highly qualified.
To be a highly qualified personnel, teachers, counselors, program managers and administrators must pass the Praxis I and II tests and meet other requirements.
Barcinas said having more highly qualified teachers will help PSS save money from hiring new personnel.
“We want our staff to be effective,” he said. “Recruitment of highly qualified personnel is necessary and we need to retain [them] so we’ll not be spending too much.”
Education Commissioner Rita Sablan said she is positive that PSS will be able to reach its goal to have at least 90 percent of highly qualified personnel by the end of this year.
