Senator Régine Biscoe Lee has introduced two bills that seek to help educators negotiate for better pay and help schools lacking teachers.
Bill No. 203-35 (COR)—co-sponsored by Vice Speaker Telena Cruz Nelson—offers a plan to help teachers and support staff by allowing them to negotiate for their pay.
The bill does so by allowing an employee organization representing teachers and support staff employed by the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) to negotiate the salary of such employees every three years.
Bill No. 202-35 (COR) — co-sponsored by Senator Sabina Flores Perez — will allow exemptions for former professors seeking to gain teaching certificates.
Previously, former professors seeking a teaching certificate with the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) were subject, but not limited, to an examination of general knowledge (known as the PRAXIS); an examination of pedagogical knowledge; and a student teaching experience.
Candidates seeking the senator’s proposed exemptions require a terminal degree and two years of documented and verifiable teaching experience at an accredited United States college or university.
As proposed in the measure, GDOE may conduct workshops on classroom management and other administrative items prior to the employment of those seeking such exemptions. Also, candidates are required to submit to an annual performance review.
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