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Over 500 Teachers and Administrators were in attendance for the Official
opening of the 2001-2002 school year.
Special
remarks were given by Lt. Governor Tulafono and the keynote speaker
was the Director of Education, Dr. Sili Sataua. Musical selections
were performed by the CCCAS Petesa Uta Marching Band and Youth Choir.
Dr. Sataua covered 5 major "Areas
Need of Change" in order to be more successful. (The
following is a summary of Dr. Sataua's remarks. All quotes are
from his speech.)
1. TEACHER QUALITY: Dr. Sataua expresses that it is  important
that all teachers instill in the students a sense of
essentialism. Enhancing student's "wanting" to learn
more.
Dr. Sataua mentions the importance of teachers becoming certified and
obtaining at least their BA in education. "75% of elementary
school teachers do not have a BA degree. Which is horrific
compared to the US, where a BA is the minimum requirement for a teaching
position."
2. INCREASE LOCAL FUDING ALLOCATIONS FOR TEACHING:
American Samoa spends an average of $2,200.00 per student per
year. Saipan and other Territories spend on average $5,800.00 per
year, and the US spends $6,500.00. This places American Samoa less
then 1/3 to 1/2 the amounts spent in the US and it's respective
Territories.
3. FACILITIES: Department of Education has recieved
$800,000.00 in federal funding for building maintenance and repair.
 4.
ASSESMENT: Why test our students against National standards of
assessment? Why test if our students are not ready?
"Testing our students against national standards will tell us how
much we have to improve our level of instruction and the quality of
education here in American Samoa. This will ensure our ability to
compete against other individuals in colleges and universities around
the nation.
5. ACCOUNTABILITY: Decrease social passing.
"If a child fails it is not their fault, it is your (the teacher)
fault. You need to know your responsibility and what is expected
of you...Stop passing kids that are illiterate into the higher levels
because you are setting them up for failure!" |
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Director of Education, Dr. Sili Sataua,
addresses the teachers and administrators.
"If education is the foundation of
any successful government, then you, the teachers, are the true
architects."
Dr. Sataua.
"Do not just give what you
have, but also give what you are."
Lt. Governor Tulafono |
