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1. What is Project Håtsa?
Project Håtsa is a GPSS Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant written in
partnership with the University of Guam CEDDERS. Awarded $9,329,550 over a
3-year period from the U.S. Department of Education, the overall goal of the
project is to increase student achievement through improved teacher quality.
The Governor’s Commission on Teaching Excellence, which includes
representatives who are parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders,
UOG and GCC officials, legislators, Governor’s office and GPSS staff, played a
role in the development of the grant. Baseline information from the GPSS
Research, Planning & Evaluation unit and recommendations from previous
educational reforms were also used in the development of the grant. The
Commission will continue to play a role in the project by serving as a forum
for review and feedback on project activities.
The Grant Leadership Team is comprised of the GPSS Superintendent &
Certification Officer, Project Håtsa Project Director & Program Coordinators,
the Yamashita Educator Corps Director, and University of Guam School of
Education representatives. Guam CEDDERS, as indicated in the grant application,
manages the grant in partnership with GPSS.
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2. What are the focus areas?
1) Stakeholder Involvement: Policy and Curriculum Alignment (Teacher
certification, teacher preparation, and alternate routes)
2) Mentoring and Professional Growth
3) Teacher Supervision and Evaluation
Please visit the Focus Areas section of
this website for the listing of the goals and objectives for each of
these areas.
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3. What is the timeline for each of the project goals?
Please visit the Focus Areas section of
this website for the projected timelines for the 3 year period of the
grant.
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4. How is the Mentor Program going to be set up?
The details relating to the Mentor Program are currently being developed
by the Focus Area 2 Focus Group. Please check this website periodically
for updates or you may email Dr. Aline Yamashita, Focus Area 2 Program
Coordinator at aliney@ite.net for
more information.
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5. If new requirements are developed, when will they go
into effect?
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6. What does "Alternate Route Certification" mean?
This is a means by which mid-career individuals or other individuals with a
degree other than education may pursue certification in teaching without having
to quit their current jobs.
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Page 7. What
are the Professional Development and Mini-Technology grants?
Each school has the opportunity to submit an application for a grant to
support its professional development and upgrades in technology.
Submittal of applications is voluntary, however, schools are highly
encouraged to apply. Funding support for each school is determined by a baseline amount plus
the school’s student population. For example, for the first year, $3,000
is the baseline amount that will be added to an amount tied to the
school’s student population as of September 30. In its application,
schools must carefully describe how the grant is to be used to increase
student achievement and how it is tied to its School Improvement Plan.
Technology grants may be used to purchase hardware and to arrange for
related professional development. Schools may also form a “consortium”, i.e., partner with
another school in an effort to maximize their funds. In this instance,
one school must take the lead in coordinating activities. Grant-writing
Workshops are available to school personnel (please check the “Calendar”
section for times).
The deadline for submittal of applications for the first round of grants
is 5:00 p.m., March 1, 2006. Please note that funding that is set aside
for schools that do not submit applications will be made available to
other schools that apply. Funds must be expended by the end of the
Project fiscal year, which is September 30.
Please note also that there will be funding available every year of this
three-year project for these types of activities.
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8.
What does Project Håtsa have to do with the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)?
The project provides funding support for teachers who apply for this
nationally recognized certification. To qualify for
Project Håtsa support, the individual must currently be a full time GPSS
teacher teaching in their area of Guam certification. Deadlines to apply for NBPTS certification this year are in
March and October. Please refer to the NBPTS website (this link is
available under “Other Links” in the “Resources”
Section of this website) or e-mail Dr. Nieves Flores at
nflores@ite.net for more information.
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Will the Project be working on aligning the teacher standards with the
Professional Teacher Evaluation Program (PTEP)?
Yes.
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10. How can I become involved?
Call the Project Håtsa office at 735-2560 and submit your name to participate
in one or more of the Focus Groups.
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