27th Guam Legislature

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• Bill 162: A Progress Report
• Explanation sheet for Bill 162
• Section By Section Analysis
• What it is... What is isn't ...
  

• 10-23-03 Bill 162 will promote
• 10-22-03 Dozens speak in favor of
• 10-21-03 Public Hearing for Bill 162
• 10-21-03 Don't overlook importance
• 10-21-03 Act must do more than
• 10-20-03 New law to improve
• 10-20-03 Is litigation the answer
• 10-20-03 Bill 162 outlines
• 10-20-03 Bill 162 Poll
• 10-19-03 'Strong medicine'
• 10-19-03 Our View: A Step Forward:
• 10-19-03 Officials need to focus on
• 10-19-03 Law just mandates
• 10-19-03 Community Voices-Bill 162
• 10-19-03 Bill to set parameters for
• 10-19-03 Bill to give kids education
• 10-19-03 Bill looks at minimum
• 10-19-03 Bill 162 would bring about
• 10-19-03 Bill 162 is right step in
• 08-09-03 Bill 162 needed
• 08-08-03 Education bill proposed
• 08-07-03 Klitzkie introduces Bill 162
• 08-07-03 Give child ability to enforce
• 08-07-03 Klitzkie says fair, proper

On August 7, Senator Robert Klitzkie, R-Yigo, introduced Bill 162– the Every Child is Entitled to an Adequate Public Education Act.

This legislation will finally establish at least a minimal definition of an adequate education.

As defined in Bob’s legislation, an adequate public education means Guam public schools will at the minimum provide:

1. certified teachers for every class in a ratio established by relevant collective bargaining agreements,

2. properly ventilated classrooms in which the sensible air temperature is no greater than 78º F.*

3. a supply of potable water sufficient to provide each student a daily ration of drinking and washing water,

4. a reliable source of electricity

5. proper sanitation to include flushable toilets, clean restrooms, dining areas and classrooms,

6. adopted textbooks and workbooks issued to each public school student for the classes in which he or she is enrolled

7. libraries, which meet the standards of the American Association of School Librarians, at each school, operated by certified librarians

8. a healthful, safe, sanitary learning environment

9. 180 instructional days each school year, with school years that end no later than June 10.

The Organic Act assigns the responsibility of providing an adequate public educational system to the entire government: “The Government of Guam shall provide an adequate public educational system of Guam, and to that end shall establish, maintain, and operate public schools according to the laws of Guam.” ( Section 29(b) of the Organic Act)

Bill 162 is the first legislation to hold GovGuam accountable under the Organic Act for providing an adequate education to school children.

The bill provides that resources of the whole government must first be directed toward providing an adequate public educational system. The legislation directs GovGuam agencies that are directly and indirectly involved in providing education to children, be responsible for providing an adequate public educational system.

The act recognizes that education on Guam is a civil right and provides school children the right to initiate litigation against a government of Guam agency or agencies failing to provide the student with an adequate education.