(PSS) — Officials of the Public School System and the education think tank Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning met Thursday to discuss technical assistance that supports PSS’ initiatives on student learning under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
As mandated by the U.S. Department of Education through a multi-year grant, McREL will work with PSS by providing “support to the whole child by using a competency-based support system,” among other things.
PSS and McREL agreed that the technical assistance will support the school district’s pioneering “Portrait of a Learner/Graduate” initiative, which was launched in June 2023 by Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho.
The USDOE awarded McREL a five-year formula grant program in October to assist in the implementation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in all states, territories, and tribal communities. The CNMI, along with the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, and the Republic of Palau, belongs to Region 13 (Pacific 2).
On Thursday, PSS officials Dr. Rizalina Liwag and Dr. Yvonne R. Pangelinan were named co-leads for the school system. PSS Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che, Career & Technical Program Director Dr. Jessica B. Taylor, and Associate Commissioner for Administration Eric Magofna will provide support.
Sinton Soalablai and Susan Shebby are co-directors of McREL-Region 13 (Pacific 2). They have named Dr. Rita A. Sablan, a former education commissioner, and researcher Erin D’Amelio, as the CNMI leads who will collaborate closely with PSS.
Portrait of a Learner/Graduate
Education Commissioner of Education Camacho said PSS is also working with the Southern Regional Education Board in implementing the Portrait of a Learner/Graduate initiative.
Its goal is to produce high school graduates who are prepared for college, the workforce, and life itself.
“We have been working with the community and all stakeholders since June to ensure that our Portrait of a Learner/Graduate initiative reaches our intended target, which is very critical and essential to our direction as a school system,” Camacho told the McREL team.
Their meeting will continue today, Friday, at his office on Capital Hill.
For its part, the USDOE’s Comprehensive Centers Network requires all regions, including the CNMI, to form a stakeholder group comprising three community representatives.
Camacho said House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, representing Saipan, and Mayor Aubry Hocog of Rota are two of the CNMI’s community representatives.
Camacho is still awaiting the designation of Tinian’s representative.
Right direction
Dr. Sablan, who was hired by McREL because of her institutional knowledge, said PSS continues to reach new heights in terms of student learning successes.
“I have been learning and reading good news about PSS,” she said. “I am very happy with the current direction of PSS, and this is because Commissioner Camacho’s leadership is consistent in its mission and goals to achieve student learning and success.”
Susan Shebby of McREL-Region 13 (Pacific 2) said, “We will work to meet PSS goals as a team. It is our responsibility now to look at extending [PSS] with all necessary technical assistance…to help you with the things that are important to you.”
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, seated, right, with educator Dr. Rita A. Sablan, a former commissioner of education, and members of the U.S. Department of Education’s Comprehensive Centers Network for Region 13 (Pacific 2): Public School System officials Dr. Rizalina Liwag and Dr. Yvonne R. Pangelinan, Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che, Career & Technical Education Program Director Dr. Jessica B. Taylor, and Associate Commissioner for Administration Eric Magofna with Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning’s Susan Shebby, Sinton Soalablai, and Erin D’ Amelio.
PSS photo
Susan Shebby, third left, shares the goals of the U.S. Department of Education’s Comprehensive Centers Network, as Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, educators Dr. Rita A. Sablan, Sinton Soalablai, Dr. Rizalina Liwag and Erin D’Amelio listen.
