News Brief

11/26/12

Sablan Pushes for Reform in CNMI's Education System

Saipan Tribune (11/26/12) Deposa, Moneth

Northern Marianas Islands Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan, Ed.D, would like to see one system govern the education programs on Rota, Saipan, and Tinian. Currently, the CNMI Public School System handles the preschool-12th grade educational program, while the post-secondary program is administered by the Northern Marianas College (NMC). "We need to reform the structure of education in the CNMI so it becomes more efficient and more effective and that it will meet the needs of the Commonwealth. Make it a structure that would be preschool all the way to the 16th program," she says. NMC has disclosed that many high school students fail its placement tests, forcing them into remedial programs. Sablan says part of the problem is the gap students encounter between the two education systems, noting that a unified system could promote a seamless transition to college. She explains that unifying the system will require a constitutional amendment, but it would provide a vertical alignment for planning and a better way to track student success.

 

This news brief was summarized for Chiefline, CCSSO's weekly newsletter. Click here to receive Chiefline in your inbox weekly. Newsbrief Copyright 2012 INFORMATION, INC.