500 public school teachers in American Samoa are to be tested on their reading comprehension, writing and basic math this Saturday as part of a reform of the education system.
Teachers need to pass the test, known as the Praxis I, to be able to continue teaching.
The director of education, Vaitinasa Dr Salu Hunkin Finau, says if teachers don't pass the first time they can sit the test again.
But she says they must pass the second time in order to keep their jobs.
"We believe that if teachers are well prepared, they have had the appropriate training, then that interaction between teacher and student, or teaching and learning, occurs at a very high rate and that high rate is what we want to see with our children here in American Samoa and of course in the last 30 years plus we have not seen our student performance move above average."
Vaitinasa Dr Salu Hunkin Finau says the education department wants to change the system and help teachers be better prepared.