Leadership study guide
A school district is facing budgetary concerns and is trying to decide whether to reduce or eliminate some arts programs. Which THREE of the following factors should the district consider while determining its plan of action?
1. Community Needs 2. Student Assessment results 3. Fiscal costs Budget items related to curriculum issues must reflect the interests and scope of the surrounding community, the performance resultsof state assessments that will shape the focus and direction of district curricula,and the costs of personnel and supplies associated with implementing and maintaininga quality arts program.
Which THREE of the following actions are examples of a school leader demonstrating professionalism and ethics?
1. Developing positive relationships with students and parents 2. Placing primary importance on students' best interests 3. Accepting responsibility for school-related decisions and for their results A principal demonstrates professionalism and ethical behavior by developing positive relationships with students and parents, placing primary importance on students' best interests, and accepting responsibility for school-related decisions and for their results. All of these actions are important for the principal to do to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
A principal is working with the campus planning committee to develop a new strategic plan to better focus its efforts. The principal wants the planning committee to begin by identifying the current state of school programs and campus culture. What are 3 are the best?
1. What are our strengths and weaknesses? 2. What resources do we have to work with? 3. Which faculty are supportive of the change? The first steps in the strategic planning process are to address the current status of the campus, including strengths and weaknesses, current available resources, and existing supportive personnel.
While a state may adopt more inclusive requirements, federal law requires school districts that receive Title I grant monies must participate in the biennial state-level National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in reading and math at grades
4 & 8 Federal law requires districts that receive Title I funds to agree to participate in the NAEP at grades 4 and 8. Other subjects and grades may participate in the NAEP, but are voluntary.
Ms. Ballo, a fourth-grade teacher, is organizing additional, targeted instructionfor students who are not showing mastery of grade-level knowledge and skill statementsor who failed the third-grade criterion-referenced competency test. After reviewing Ms.Ballo's list of selected students, the school principal discovers that none of the newlyenrolled students are included. Which of the following is the most appropriate actionfor the principal to take to address the situation?
8 Having Ms. Ballo assess the new students' need to be included. Option (B) is correct. Assessing the learning needs of new students will assist theschool in better meeting their needs if learning gaps are found. Students who arenewly enrolled could also be included in the remedial instruction if needed
Monies from Title II, Part A, of the Higher Education Act can be used to fund which of the following?
A staff development training on differentiation for elementary school teachers The United States Department of Education provides Title II funds to state and local educational agencies to increase student academic achievement through strategies such as improving teacher and principal quality and increasing the number of highly qualified teachers.
After analyzing student performance data and conducting classroom observations, a school administrator decides professional development is needed. Providing teachers with training on which of the following professional development topics would best help teachers improve the teaching strategies used in their classrooms?
A.Helping teachers better understand how students acquire content knowledge B.Understanding the characteristics of quality classroom assessments C.Studying practices that foster a positive classroom learning environment D.Engaging teachers in activities to map the curriculum both horizontally and vertically A is the right answer because To best enhance teacher pedagogical practices in a manner that leads to improved student performance, professional development should focus on enhancing teachers' content knowledge, methods and pedagogy that support student learning because studies have shown that the most effective PD will focus upon teacher content knowledge and pedagogy skills.
Which of the following scenarios best describes a principal reinforcing transparent decision-making practices?
A.The principal of a high school revises the schedule to allow time for teachers toengage in meaningful collaboration in support of students' learning. As a follow-up,the principal sends a letter to parents identifying the rationale for the change andthe research supporting professional learning communities. B.An elementary school principal decides to replace outdated playground equipment andasks a committee of parents and teachers to decide which equipment is outdated. Theprincipal then selects new equipment to replace three of the five outdated pieces. C.A middle school principal holds open forums to meet with teachers and parents to discussthe possibility of using block scheduling and the impact on student achievement. Afterreceiving mainly positive feedback, the principal decides to form a committee of stakeholdersto design the implementation plan. D.A school district is considering combining two smaller elementary schools, after theretirement of one of the principals, to save money by eliminating maintenance on oneof the buildings. The remaining principal recommends keeping both schools open andsplitting administrative time between them. C is correct The principal exhibits transparent decision-making practicesby engaging stakeholders in open forums and including them in designing the implementationplan for block scheduling.
The philosophy statement below best introduces which of the following district policies? The public school system seeks to educate young people in the democratic tradition, to foster an appreciation for individualism and social responsibility, to inspire respect for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and to maintain an atmosphere free from censorship and restraint of inquiry and learning.
Academic Freedom A policy on academic freedom states the district's philosophy on the curriculum and content students are exposed to in its schools and may be referenced when a text taught in a class is challenged.
A middle school principal wants to assess the effectiveness of a new science curriculum that has been in place in seventh grade for one year. Which of the following methods will provide the principal with the most valuable data?
Comparing the performance of seventh graders on the annual state science assessment with the performance of previous seventh graders
Read the information provided in the data table below. Analysis of Tenth- and Eleventh-Grade Student Performance Demographic Group Number of Students Passing a Precollege Assessment Number of Students Enrolled in Advanced-Level Courses White 150 100 African American 55 12 Hispanic 85 15 A high school offers a free precollege assessment to assist tenth- and eleventh-grade students in deciding whether to pursue enrollment in advanced-level courses. The school currently offers ten advanced-level courses for eleventh and twelfth graders either at the school or online. Based on the data provided, which of the following actions should a school administrator initially take to promote equity in advanced courses?
Creating a plan collaboratively with teachers to determine the motivations for minority student enrollment in advanced-level courses. The school administrator needs to work with teachers to understand what motivates minority students to participate in advanced-level classes and to expand opportunities for increased enrollment of underrepresented students.
Which of the following is the most valuable reason for utilizing technology to access and disaggregate student data to improve student performance?
Data can be reviewed in various combinations to examine the effectiveness of programs and student groups Deeper disaggregation is essential to making meaningful instructional decisions about student performance and the effectiveness of instructional practices.
Which of the following best describes the initial step in preparing a school's operating budget?
Developing a calendar based on the fiscal year It is important to make sure the budget is developed and approved prior to the next fiscal year. The first step in the budget process is to develop the budget process calendar.
Which of the following is the most effective method for a school leader to use to stay abreast of changes in the community?
Developing relationships with local businesses and organizations. It is helpful for a school leader to build relationships with local businesses and organizations because they are most likely to be aware of communal trends and changes.
A school improvement team recommends establishing professional learning communities(PLCs) to address identified instructional needs. Which of the following actions takenby the principal best promotes the successful implementation of PLCs?
Establishing regular times for using data to inform practice Work done in PLCs should be an ongoing time for educators to work collaboratively to collect student data and to respond by adjusting instruction. The principal should work to create the conditions necessary to make this practice fundamental.
A radio station expresses interest in partnering with a local school to develop a program to strengthen students' written and oral communication skills. Which of the following describes the principal's most appropriate initial consideration before forming the partnership?
Evaluating the alignment of the program to student needs and campus goals A viable partnership with a business or community organization should be aligned to student needs and campus goals.
Although staff members assisted in the development of the vision statement, "What ever it takes, all students will learn," the principal believes that many teachers have lower expectations for limited English proficient (LEP) students. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial step for the principal to take to encourage greater support of LEP students?
Facilitating staff conversations to discuss how to better meet the needs of LEP students Communicating with teachers and involving them in the process of setting goals for meeting the needs of LEP students is the most appropriate way for the principal to facilitate change.
Data from a survey a school conducted show that many parents believe the school is not meeting the learning needs of their children. Which of the following is the most appropriate first step for the principal to take in response to the survey?
Meeting with representative parents to identify the ways the school can support their children's learning needs Meeting with parents to hear their concerns and allowing their input into the solution will help increase the parents' trust in the school.
Which of the following is the most appropriate strategy for a principal to use to facilitate the participation of working parents in parent-teacher conferences?
Offering parents meeting times from early morning to the evening Offering parents a wide variety of meeting times, including those outside school hours, increases the likelihood that parents and teachers can meet face-to-face. Face-to-face conferences allow the teacher and parents to view student work together, to build teacher-parent partnerships, and to enhance parents' sense of belonging to a school community.
The use of which of the following communication methods has the advantage of reaching the largest audience most quickly? A.Interactive school Web sites and social media pages B.Informational fliers distributed to students C.Phone calls to stakeholders in the community D.Fact sheets provided to local news agencies
Option (A) is correct. A consistent, positive, honest message about the school will help build community support, and using school Web sites and social media pages can reach a large audience quickly.
According to research, which of the following actions by parents of urban students will best support their children's achievement in school? A.Checking that their children have completed their homework every night B.Volunteering in their children's classrooms and at school activities C.Offering their children incentives for good grades and attendance D.Designating a time and place in the household for their children to study
Option (A) is correct. A recent meta-analysis by the Harvard Family Research Project revealed that the parental action of checking that homework is completed every night resulted in significantly positive outcomes for student achievement.
Which of the following is the most effective method for a principal to use to communicate how a recently enacted state education policy will affect the school and its population? A.Holding an interactive information session open to the public B.Discussing the policy at a parent council meeting C.Including an article explaining the policy in the next school newsletter D.Sending an e-blast to all individuals on the school's e-mail list summarizing thekey
Option (A) is correct. An interactive meeting open to the public has the potential to reach the broadest audience for the message and allows participants to receive clarification and ask questions.
Which of the following professional development strategies will best meet the needs of a multigenerational staff? A.Providing collaborative opportunities for teachers to share ideas and talk about their instructional practices B.Incorporating problem-solving activities into adult learning programs to promote higher levels of thinking C.Including training on the importance of identifying routines and procedures to promote effective classroom management D.Using social media networks as a delivery system to facilitate communication amongadults
Option (A) is correct. Collaboration provides opportunities to glean ideas from others, validate personal thoughts and feelings, and hear testimonials about what has worked in similar situations.
When developing a leadership team to review and analyze progress toward the school's vision, a principal should include central office curriculum leaders, campus administrators, parents, teachers, and A.community representatives B.the district superintendent C.office clerical staff D.school board members
Option (A) is correct. In any effort to develop systemic change, a school needs to have the support of the community in order to align the school's vision with the community's needs and resources.
A middle school principal is deciding between purchasing several desktop computers and purchasing two more expensive but portable tablet computers. The best basis for making the decision is which purchase A.supports the campus goals B.impresses parents and community members C.provides the school with the most computers D.uses the most current technology
Option (A) is correct. Instructional decisions about equipment and supplies should always be made based on what is best for the students.
Which of the following strategies has research shown to be effective in reducing the achievement gap between primary students who are of lower socioeconomic status and their peers? A.Implementing heterogeneous grouping within small classes B.Using homogeneous grouping in core subject areas C.Clustering students in larger specialized schools within the district D.Using direct instructional strategies in classrooms regularly
Option (A) is correct. Research has shown that heterogeneous student grouping supports student learning in economically disadvantaged students
Which of the following is the best first step for a school leader to take when initiating change at a school? A.Collecting perceptions, demographics, and student performance data to assess needs B.Developing actions, strategies, and interventions aligned with school needs C.Establishing a supervision, evaluation, and accountability system to support the changeprocess D.Budgeting, purchasing, and inventorying items to support schoolwide reform activities
Option (A) is correct. The first step in the change process is to engage stakeholders in using data to determine school needs in relation to the school vision.
A principal who provides professional development for teachers on the use of formative classroom assessments promotes teachers' understanding of the importance of A.monitoring student learning to facilitate instructional decision making B.eliciting prior knowledge from students before implementing an instructional unit C.sustaining active student involvement to promote learning D.analyzing student achievement results at the end of an instructional unit
Option (A) is correct. The purpose of formative assessments is to check for understanding. Formative assessments take place during a learning activity to provide the instructor with information regarding how well the learning objectives of a given learning activity are being met.
A middle school principal plans to implement professional learning communities (PLCs)on campus in the coming year. To best build leadership capacity on campus, the principal should A.attend training on PLCs with teachers identified as leaders on campus B.conduct a training on the advantages of PLCs for interested teachers C.send the assistant principal to attend a training on implementing PLCs D.invite a consultant to the school to train the leadership team on PLCs
Option (A) is correct. This action builds leadership by identifying teacher leaders and supports them by going with them to the training.
Which of the following questions is most effective for evaluating the impact of a professional development program on teacher behavior and student learning? A.Does student work demonstrate evidence of teachers' application of the strategies taught in the program? B.Are teachers expressing the desire to learn advanced strategies by continuing the program? C.Do the results of surveys and interviews indicate that teachers found the program beneficial? D.Are parents indicating that their children are engaged in their coursework and motivated to perform well?
Option (A) is correct. To best measure the impact of a professional development program, leaders should look for evidence of change in teacher behavior and improvement in student learning over time.
Which of the following best identifies the focus of a high school elective called Building Digital Literacy? A.Identifying ergonomic practices for the healthy use of digital tools B.Developing efficiency in selecting and using digital tools C.Displaying appropriate conduct in digital communications D.Becoming effective consumers in digital marketplaces
Option (B) is correct. A course on digital literacy would focus on building students' ability to perform tasks effectively in a digital environment, including selecting and using a variety of digital resources and tools, and the sophisticated searching and the processing skills required in the twenty-first-century workplace.
Which of the following best identifies how classroom assessment results improve learning? A.Helping teachers rank-order students for purposes of accountability and grading B.Identifying for teachers what they taught well and what students still need to workon C.Promoting the alignment of instruction to the textbook and instructional materials D.Determining how well students read and interpret content-specific information
Option (B) is correct. Assessments built to measure established instructional goals provide the teacher meaningful feedback on what has been taught well and in what areas students need more instruction to master the key concepts and ideas. Using this information to guide future instruction makes assessments an important tool for improving student learning.
Which of the following is the primary reason for a principal to perform a 360-degreeself-assessment? A.Reviewing current practices in order to foster adult learning and cooperation from staff B.Understanding daily habits and practices in order to determine alignment with the school vision C.Determining which elements of school operation influence the effectiveness of teaching and learning D.Gathering data to create descriptions of best instructional practices that measure standards of practice
Option (B) is correct. Completing a 360-degree self-assessment will help a principal reflect on daily habits and practices to determine whether these habits are in alignment with the school vision.
Many parents express concern that communication regarding school events arrives late or too close to the date of the events to allow sufficient planning time for their families. Which of the following actions by the principal best addresses the concern? A.Posting events in each classroom to allow students to write events on a take-home calendar B.Designating a specific notification period for all classroom and schoolwide eventsthat seek parental involvement C.Allowing multiple staff members to be in charge of writing and sending schoolwidecommunication D.Using a single method of distributing information that specifically highlights eventsof interest to parents and the community
Option (B) is correct. Designating a specific notification time for parents and staff focuses their attention to relevant and timely information that allows for appropriate adjustments to schedules and for preparations to be made.
A school principal wants to reduce the effects of poverty in the building by creating a learning environment that demonstrates respect for all students and families. Which of the following actions should the principal use to reach this goal? A.Ensuring that every classroom has appropriate materials and furniture B.Encouraging faculty to develop supportive relationships with students C.Allowing teachers to determine the direction of curriculum and instruction D.Sending letters to parents with information about school discipline policies
Option (B) is correct. Establishing connections and relationships with students is a top priority.
Which of the following actions best describes the first step for developing a school emergency operations plan? A.Examining the school site to determine the preparedness of the school's buildings and grounds B.Forming a collaborative team of school officials and community first responders C.Identifying potential threats and hazards that could affect the staff and students D.Providing staff development in crisis prevention measures
Option (B) is correct. Forming a collaborative team of school officials and community first responders ensures that preventative and protective measures have been considered in the emergency operations plan.
Which of the following actions best describes the first step for developing a schoolemergency operations plan? A.Examining the school site to determine the preparedness of the school's buildingsand grounds B.Forming a collaborative team of school officials and community first responders C.Identifying potential threats and hazards that could affect the staff and students D.Providing staff development in crisis prevention measures
Option (B) is correct. Forming a collaborative team of school officials and communityfirst responders ensures that preventative and protective measures have been consideredin the emergency operations plan
A school leader can best engage with the community by A.creating a presence on social media B.partnering with local organizations C.patronizing neighborhood businesses D.welcoming visitors at school events
Option (B) is correct. Partnering with local organizations helps the school leader to learn of and share concerns that affect students and families and to set goals for using school and community resources to meet mutual needs.
The curriculum director of a low-performing school district wants to initiate systematic changes to improve student learning in core content areas. The most appropriate first step is to A.recommend revising the learning objectives by content B.investigate the causes of poor student performance C.implement interventions to address areas of student weakness D.provide teachers a list of approved assessment tools
Option (B) is correct. The first step in the curriculum reform process is to identify the cause of low student performance before implementing any interventions.
During the middle of the school year, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) asks the principal to report on the school's progress toward achieving campus goals. The principal's best response is to A.prioritize the goals and only address goals that have been met by the school B.gather information on processes the school is using to reach intermediate goals as well as on indicators toward meeting outcome goals C.alert members of each grade level to be ready to present benchmark data that showachievement of outcome goals D.request that the PTA wait until all data regarding the school's achievement are availableat the end of the year to determine progress
Option (B) is correct. The principal should gather information about all of the processes being used to reach the intermediate goals, as well as other indicators that show progress towards the outcome goals.
During a post observation conference, a principal tells the teacher that the observed lesson did not address the stated learning objective. Which of the following strategies suggested by the principal will best help the teacher address the situation? A.Collaborating with other teachers to develop a lesson-plan template for engaging and rigorous lessons B.Collecting evidence of student performance to determine whether students have met the identified learning goal C.Practicing writing student learning objectives that align with state content standards D.Attending professional development training on content-specific curriculum mapping
Option (B) is correct. The teacher is not providing instruction that enhances student learning for an identified learning objective. To improve in this area, the teacher should collect evidence (i.e., student responses to questions or tasks during the lesson or reflections by students at the end of the lesson) to ensure that student performance is specifically aligned to the identified objective.
Which of the following practices by a school leader best exemplifies high-quality professional development? A.Focusing on the need of adult learners to build theoretical foundations B.Allowing participants to determine whether the learning can be applied to their work C.Engaging adult learners in active learning of new knowledge and skills D.Scheduling follow-up classroom observations to determine the session's effectiveness
Option (C) is correct. High-quality professional development should align to school goals, focus on core content and teaching strategies, provide active learning and collaboration for teachers, and embed follow-up and continuous feedback.
While walking through the hallways, a principal observes a teacher beginning class with a reading from the Bible and a recitation of a brief prayer. When questioned about the practice, the teacher explains that the ritual sets a proper and settling tone for the rest of the class period. Which of the following is the principal's best response to the situation? A.Allowing the teacher to continue as long as the reading and prayer do not exceed 60seconds B.Reminding the teacher that the practice is allowable as long as other religious practices are represented C.Informing the teacher that only the schoolwide period of silent reflection each day is allowable D.Asking the teacher to hold either a Bible reading or a prayer each day but not both
Option (C) is correct. If a school has a "minute of silence" or other quiet period during the school day, students are free to pray silently, or not to pray, but teachers and other school employees may neither encourage nor discourage students from praying during such time periods.
The school counselor informs the principal that an anonymous student survey on bullying reveals that one in four students experiences bullying in school. Which of the following is the principal's most reasonable response to the findings in the survey? A.Identifying students with poor attendance records as possible candidates for counseling B.Waiting for a bullied student or a bullying student to be identified before taking any action. C.Implementing a schoolwide counseling and antibullying program to address school climate D.Reviewing the results of the survey to compare to other school results
Option (C) is correct. Implementing a schoolwide counseling and antibullying program will most effectively address the concern by providing staff and students training to know how to react in bullying situations. The program will address the bully, the bullied, and the bystander.
While working late one evening, the principal walks into the teachers' lounge and discovers two teachers drinking alcohol. Which of the following actions should the principal take under the circumstances? A.Reporting the teachers to local law enforcement because drinking is not permitted on school grounds B.Consulting the district counsel for advice on protecting the teachers' rights C.Informing the teachers that the incident will be referred to the superintendent for further action D.Notifying the board of education to arrange for the teachers' suspension pending a hearing
Option (C) is correct. In matters of potentially serious misconduct by employees,the principal has a responsibility to report the incident to the superintendent ina timely fashion. This action keeps the superintendent abreast of incidents that might be harmful to students, might receive attention from the media, and might need to be reported to state agencies.
A director of guidance is establishing a school-based mentoring program to support high school students who might benefit from receiving academic and emotional support from a caring adult. Which of the following is the director's first consideration when screening mentor candidates? A.Can the candidate maintain interest in a youth's well-being over a period of time? B.Does the candidate's experience with schooling reflect a positive view of education? C.Does the candidate need to undergo safety checks required for adults who work withchildren or youth? D.Does the candidate view the mentor's primary role as helping the youth to grow?
Option (C) is correct. Many states and school districts require safety and health checks for volunteers who work with minors and the director is legally bound to conform to such policies. The director needs to first discover whether the check is requiredbefore continuing with the screening process.
Which of the following actions by a school leadership team will best promote the ongoing involvement of parents in their children's education? A.Recognizing their value as volunteers B.Granting parental requests, when appropriate C.Honoring their contributions as educational partners D.Maintaining open lines of communication
Option (C) is correct. Parents are likely to remain involved in their children's education when the school shares decision-making responsibilities, considers their contributions valuable, and cultivates parent leadership.
Which of the following is a principal's most reasonable response to a board of education that takes a position the principal does not support? A.Standing firm against the board's position B.Tabling any decision relating to the position until consensus can be reached C.Respecting the authority of the school board and supporting its position D.Accepting the school board's decision but withholding full support
Option (C) is correct. The principal is employed by the school board and must put aside personal views that are contrary to the board's position.
A principal works with a committee to develop a new vision statement for the school.The principal suggests stating that the school will accept and support all students while meeting their educational needs. Which of the following best describes the principal's primary purpose for the wording? A.Eliminating controversy among stakeholders B.Suggesting new practices to improve learning C.Modeling respect and equitable treatment of everyone D.Encouraging staff to address their personal beliefs
Option (C) is correct. The principal's primary purpose for the wording is to ensure the vision creates an inclusive school.
A principal shares research with the instructional staff showing that most students learn better when exposed to the richness of the general education curriculum as long as appropriate strategies and accommodations are in place. Which of the following education practices best supports the research? A.Providing instruction for struggling students in one area of the school B.Assigning students to special education resource classrooms C.Ensuring teachers vary instructional practices and supports D.Having teachers provide direct instruction with a peer partner
Option (C) is correct. The research supports an inclusive setting where teachers provide appropriate individualized attention, accommodations, and support that results in meaningful learning for all students without the stigmatization that comes with separation.
Following a classroom observation, a principal works with a teacher to improve the quality of feedback given to students. Which of the following is the best example of teacher feedback that is focused and promotes student motivation? A."Why don't you skip the difficult part now and come back to it later?" B."I know this is a difficult passage, but keep trying and you'll get it." C."Try using the strategy for reading difficult texts that you learned yesterday." D."You seem tired, and it's difficult to stay focused when you are tired."
Option (C) is correct. The teacher d irects the students' efforts toward an effectivestrategy and builds a positive attitude by reminding the student that he or she has the knowledge to succeed.
A superintendent asks the principal of a high school to collect data concerning allegations of unfair practices in the selection of students for placement in advanced courses,scholarships, and student awards. The principal forms a committee to examine the selectionprocesses, which reveals that some faculty have not conformed to guidelines, resultingin some students being treated unfairly. Which of the following is the principal'sbest initial response? A.Releasing all information about the participants, incidents, and wrongdoings immediately B.Releasing the information to the committee but withholding the names of the involvedpersonnel C.Postponing releasing the information to anyone until the superintendent is informed D.Calling the involved personnel before the committee to explain their actions
Option (C) is correct. This is clearly an issue for the superintendent and the district's legal counsel because falsifying student records is fraud and has both criminal and civil consequences. The involved personnel have rights. Principals must know which information can be released and what cannot and there may be some form of personnelactions taken for these individuals who completed these acts.
A principal must cut the high school budget for special programs by 30 percent. Which of the following criteria is most important for the principal to consider when making a decision? A.Perceptions of staff, students, and parents B.Longevity of the program on the campus C.Impact of each program on student learning D.Number of teachers and students involved
Option (C) is correct. This question tests the school leader's awareness of factors that influence the creation of a budget that meets the needs of students first. The impact of each program on student learning is the most important factor for creating any budget; that is, the effect that the cuts will have on instructional practice and student learning.
Following the administration of midyear district benchmarks, the principal desires to build teacher literacy in using data to measure student achievement. The first step in meeting that goal is to A.create a historical individual profile for each student in the school B.compare and contrast data between classes in the same content area C.analyze which students achieved higher than minimum performance D.interpret recent performance data based on curriculum-guided essential questions
Option (D) is correct. A few essential questions must be formed first in order to focus attention on the information sought in the data.
Which of the following is the best first step for a school leader to take in establishing personal goals for professional growth? A.Choosing education courses of interest from an online university B.Researching current trends in education in order to select new initiatives C.Reading journal articles about successful national school leaders and programs D.Identifying existing strengths and weaknesses as an instructional leader
Option (D) is correct. A personal growth initiative should begin with a rigorous self-assessment that identifies existing strengths and weaknesses that can be addressed in a focused professional development program.
A middle school wants to address the achievement gap in mathematics between students of different genders. Which of the following types of data can best help determine if a competitive testing environment is a possible cause of the discrepancy? A.Graduation and college acceptance rates for the past five years B.Student attendance data from the past three years C.Budget data showing mathematics staff development offered D.Perceptual data from student and parent surveys
Option (D) is correct. Big-picture data will provide insight into student and parent expectations of math abilities and factors affecting student achievement.
A district leadership team can broaden and deepen teachers' understanding of the effects of socioeconomic status on student achievement by having teachers participate in a study of a well-documented book on the subject. The primary benefit of this method of professional development is that A.teachers can work at their own pace B.teachers gain experiential knowledge by reading C.it is not time-consuming D.it encourages dialogue among teachers
Option (D) is correct. Book study groups promote conversations among teachers and school staff that will lead to the application of new ideas in classrooms and improvement of existing skills.
Which of the following should a school leader identify first when planning for effective professional development? A.Fiscal and human resources needs B.State and federal mandates C.Timeline for implementation and completion D.Student and teacher learning needs
Option (D) is correct. Effective professional development should begin with an analysisof school needs in terms of both student and teacher learning based on formative evidenceof their performance.
Schools with enrollments of at least forty percent of low-income families qualify for which of the following federal programs? A.National School Lunch Program B.Physical Education Program C.Federal Impact Aid D.Title I
Option (D) is correct. Schools in which children from low-income families make up at least 40 percent of enrollment are eligible to use Title I funds for school wide programs that serve all children in the school.
In preparation for a disciplinary hearing, parents request a copy of their child's disciplinary records. Before providing the records, the principal redacts the names of other students to protect the A.other students from disciplinary consequences B.students' teachers from identification in the records C.administration from misrepresentation of the incident D.privacy of other students mentioned in the records
Option (D) is correct. The administrator has a responsibility to protect the privacy of other children who might be mentioned in the records.
Which of the following actions is most important for a principal to take to ensure faculty and staff are implementing goals associated with a newly developed shared vision? A.Providing research-based practices for curriculum issues addressed in the plan B.Updating personal knowledge of curriculum content in the plan C.Completing an evaluation of current programs and resources D.Communicating progress toward the plan frequently throughout the year
Option (D) is correct. The implementation of a new vision and associated goals can best be achieved by keeping the teachers focused frequently on the goals, not just once a year. Employees need to hear the message repeatedly to be ensured that the work is getting the focus and support it needs.
A principal establishes connections with community stakeholders to learn about issues,concerns, and new developments outside of school. The principal's action primarily demonstrates an understanding of the importance of A.promoting volunteerism from community members to support school programs B.forming cooperative partnerships with business leaders C.establishing a leadership position in the community D.monitoring changes in the community that can affect the welfare of the school
Option (D) is correct. This action is often referred to as environmental scanning,and it allows an administrator to gauge the pulse of the community in garnering support for building initiatives, especially those involving student progress and achievement.
A school district is permitted to use Title III monies to fund which of the following? A.Drug-awareness education for high school students B.Professional learning for teachers C.Soccer equipment for boys' and girls' teams D.Tutoring programs for English-language learners
Option (D) is correct. Title III provides funding for English-language learners.
Which of the following is an attribute of transformational leadership? A.Monitoring student progress toward identified learning goals at the end of the semester B.Supervising instructional staff on a regular basis C.Establishing schoolwide routines and policies D.Assisting staff members in establishing goals aligned with the school's vision
Option (D) is correct. Transformational leadership inspires and empowers members to take ownership of the change process and to focus on the organizational purpose.
When acting as a cultural leader, a principal focuses on A.facilitating smooth operations through effective management of the building and schedules B.guiding curriculum development and instruction at each grade level and content area C.managing teachers and community resources to maximize capital and time commitments D.enhancing student achievement by seeking to develop a community with a common purpose
Option (D) is correct. When focused on cultural leadership, the principal draws people'sattention to compelling concerns for student learning by developing a common vision.
Which of the following actions by school principals has the greatest influence in increasing student achievement? A.Collaborating with others in decision making B.Acquiring additional college training and degrees C.Balancing the workload of responsibilities D.Utilizing available community resources
Option A is correct Shared decision making between administration and staff builds a unified commitment to the same goal—student achievement.
A dentist with a local practice contacts the principal of an elementary school with an offer to address K-2 students about dental hygiene and hand out free dental supplies.Which of the following is the principal's most appropriate response to the offer? A.Forwarding the dentist's request to the health teacher B.Allowing the dentist to address the classes and distribute the supplies C.Asking the dentist to provide the supplies but deny the request to speak to classes D.Inviting the dentist to participate in the school's career day
Option D is the best answer. This is the appropriate role for a community member who owns a business and wishes to support the school.
To obtain community support for future projects and initiatives, a principal wants to update community leaders and stakeholders about new academic programs and other recent achievements at the school. Which of the following actions is the most effective way for the principal to accomplish the goal described?
Posting the school's achievements each month on the Web sites for the school and the district Posting the school's achievements on the Web sites for the school and the district establishes a clear and routine method of communicating the school's successes to community leaders and stakeholders.
Which of the following has research identified as a powerful instructional strategy that positively impacts student achievement?
Providing timely feedback to students on their work Research shows that providing feedback is one of the most powerful instructional strategies; it positively impacts student achievement by providing students with direction for their learning.
Which of the following best describes an action of a principal working as a change agent ?
Reviewing existing procedures with staff to identify needed improvements An important step in the change process is to engage staff in honest dialogue about processes, procedures, and beliefs that fail to support the school's vision and, therefore, need to be changed.
A new principal heads a campus crisis team including the assistant principal, two teachers, and the school nurse. The principal believes the team is missing crucial members. Which of the following is the most reasonable addition to the team? A.District director of human resources B.School social worker C.President of the parent-teacher organization D.Head teacher of each grade level
School crisis team members should include the principal, counselor, teachers, school nurse, and school social worker.
A new principal wants to garner more parental involvement in the school. Which of the following strategies best addresses the principal's goal by creating a welcoming environment for all parents?
Sending monthly invitations to parents listing opportunities where their involvement is requested The most appropriate strategy for fostering widespread parental involvement is to repeatedly communicate available opportunities to parents and to invite their participation. It puts the responsibility on them?
Mr. Baker, a middle school principal, is conducting a summer orientation for five teachers joining the campus teaching staff. He lists three general topics for discussion in the agenda for the meeting. 1. Campus data a.Review state accountability data b.Review school attendance data 2. Campus instructional plan a.Review scope and sequence b.Review campus goals and expectations for instruction c.Review discipline procedures 3. Campus mission and vision a.Review district mission and vision b.Review campus mission and vision c.Review implementation and expectations of campus mission and vision Which of the following additional data in agenda topic 1 will be most valuable forhelping new teachers gain an understanding of their prospective students?
Student Demographic Data Research supports that demographic data, such as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or gender, are powerful predictors of student achievement.
A district advisory committee recommends adding a service-learning project to high school graduation requirements. Based on research, which of the following is an effect the superintendent can anticipate if each high school facilitates a service-learning project for all high school students to complete before graduation?
Students will develop a better sense of being able to make a difference and of increased engagement in their education. Research has shown a correlation between a sense of belonging and service learning.
A high school principal assesses reading scores, which have shown a steady declinefor the last few years. The chairperson of the reading department asks the principalfor assistance in identifying methods to boost students' reading abilities. Whichof the following data will be most important for the principal to suggest that thechairperson share in guiding the department's instructional decisions?
Subskill reading assessment scores. Option (A) is correct. Subskill reading performance data will enable teachers to discernexactly which reading subskills (such as vocabulary) to spend more time teaching.
A principal is reviewing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) witha teacher who struggles with student misbehavior. Which of the following components of PBIS should the principal emphasize first?
Teaching and monitoring clear behavioral expectations of all students. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) asserts that the process of teaching and monitoring expectations is one of the essential foundations for positive behavior. If many student misbehaviors are being seen, it is a classroom problem, not an individual student issue.
Which of the following information about a school district is most likely to build support among community stakeholders for the district's educational mission?
The district's vision of student success Stakeholders desire to know specifics about the vision of the school, the beliefs held within the school about teaching and learning, and the district's vision of student success.
Which of the following is the first step an educational leader should take to promote ethical behavior among the faculty and staff?
The first step educational leaders should take to promote ethical behavior is to close the gap between employees' knowledge about what to do and the actual actions they take.
Volunteers at a local church contact an elementary school principal and offer to tutor struggling reading students. The principal begins designing the tutoring program. Place each of the following steps in order from first to fourth. Work with teachers and volunteers to plan and schedule the tutoring Monitor the program and provide support Train the volunteers to implement the program Identify students who are struggling in reading
The principal should first identify students who are struggling in reading, then work with teachers and volunteers to plan the tutoring, then train the volunteers to implement the program, then finally monitor the program and provide support.
A special education paraprofessional tells the principal that the classroom teacher is delegating difficult instructional tasks regularly. When responding to the situation, the principal should ensure that the general education teacher is primarily considering which of the following when assigning tasks to the paraprofessional?
The skill level of the paraprofessional and needs of students in the classroom The principal should encourage the classroom teacher to take into consideration student needs and the paraprofessional's skill level when determining appropriate tasks to delegate. This will provide the flexibility to ensure the paraprofessional is effective in supporting students academically.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of having an administrator add pictures and short video clips to slide presentations used in staff meetings?
The use of technology demonstrates the administrator's belief that it enhances communication.
Which of the following is the intent of Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)?
To provide financial assistance to local education agencies with a high percentage of children from low-income families Title I, Part A (Title I) of the ESEA, provides financial assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.
Which of the following questions will best help a school leader determine his or her reflective baseline?
Where am I now in relation to my personal growth? By assessing current status in reaching a personal goal, a school leader can more clearly determine a reflective baseline. Analyzing whether any steps have been taken to achieve the goal, what further steps are needed to achieve the goal, and what plan is needed to meet the goal are all part of determining the baseline.
In which of the following contexts are teachers most likely to freely recognize and address positive and negative beliefs about students?
Within their professional learning community. Within the collaborative and risk-free context of a professional learning community, teachers would feel free to not only acknowledge their beliefs, but also work on ways to address them.
During an annual review of campus programs, a principal asks committee members torefer to the campus improvement plan while reviewing the effectiveness of various programs. By taking this action, the principal demonstrates an understanding of their importance of
analyzing accomplishments against a benchmark. The school improvement plan provides detailed expectations for improvements and is being used by the principal in a manner that encourages the committee to compare actual progress to goals set.
A school receiving funding through Title I, Part A, must
develop a written school policy describing how parents will be included in school events and activities A written school parental involvement policy is required by Title I regulation.
The primary purpose of conducting tabletop exercises with the crisis management teamis to
elicit constructive discussion to identify and resolve problem areas in an existing crisis management plan. Conducting tabletop exercises involves all necessary stakeholders in an informal environment to assess the viability of the plan and improve its functionality.
When acting as a cultural leader, a principal focuses on
enhancing student achievement by seeking to develop a community with a common purpose When focused on cultural leadership, the principal draws people's attention to compelling concerns for student learning by developing a common vision.
Each year, the principal of a school in a low-income urban area organizes a parent-led community walk for new staff members. The primary benefit of the event is to
highlight the resources and challenges of the school neighborhood A tour led by parents increases the staff's understanding of both the challenges within the community and the resources, sometimes hidden, that the staff can use to address them.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job protection for an employee who needs to take up to twelve workweeks of leave in a twelve-month period in order to
manage a serious health condition affecting the employee's essential job functions The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) covers twelve weeks of leave for a serious health condition affecting the following: the employee, spouse, parent, or child.
A superintendent who arranges for language translation services at board of education meetings demonstrates an understanding of the importance of
promoting effective communication The needs of parents whose primary language is not spoken Englishare best served by a translator who is able to communicate the nuance and detail necessaryto convey ways to meaningfully engage in their children's learning process.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) specifically provides parentswith the right to
request that the school correct information in their child's records that they believeis inaccurate It is a parental right provided by FERPA.
A new principal displays the school's mission statement in prominent places in thebuilding and makes reference to it in each faculty meeting and school newsletter.The primary benefit of this practice is that stakeholders
retain focus on the school's most important purpose. Keeping all stakeholders focused on the mission of the school is key to holding everyone accountable.
A school administrator who collaborates with staff, parents, and community members to work toward common goals using common processes is demonstrating the importance of which of the following?
shared vision School leaders who include stakeholders in formulating and pursuing common goals are promoting a shared vision.
A principal presents the following topics at a faculty meeting. •Title IX of the Education Amendments •Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act •Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act The principal's primary purpose in discussing the topics is to
stress the importance of an inclusive school community. By presenting details of these national laws, the principal provides staff members the opportunity to understand the purpose of the laws and the legal basis for establishing and maintaining an open and inclusive school community.
Mr. Baker, a middle school principal, is conducting a summer orientation for fiveteachers joining the campus teaching staff. He lists three general topics for discussionin the agenda for the meeting. 1. Campus data a.Review state accountability data b.Review school attendance data 2. Campus instructional plan a.Review scope and sequence b.Review campus goals and expectations for instruction c.Review discipline procedures 3. Campus mission and vision a.Review district mission and vision b.Review campus mission and vision c.Review implementation and expectations of campus mission and vision Which of the following information should be added to agenda topic 2 to best help teachers understand how their growth as teachers will be monitored and assessed
teacher evaluation and professional development Understanding how they are evaluated helps teachers meet administrators' expectations. Teachers also need to understand opportunities for growth through professional development.
Mr. Baker, a middle school principal, is conducting a summer orientation for five teachers joining the campus teaching staff. He lists three general topics for discussion in the agenda for the meeting. 1. Campus data a.Review state accountability data b.Review school attendance data 2. Campus instructional plan a.Review scope and sequence b.Review campus goals and expectations for instruction c.Review discipline procedures 3. Campus mission and vision a.Review district mission and vision b.Review campus mission and vision c.Review implementation and expectations of campus mission and vision Which of the following information should be added to the agenda to best facilitate a supportive learning environment for new teachers?
teacher mentors and key people to serve as resources Forming relationships with mentors and key school personnel is most likely to result in a supportive learning environment for new teachers.
Which of the following entities regulates the frequency of and special actions to be taken during school fire drills?
the state government Safety drills, including fire drills, fall under the jurisdiction of the state government.
A district-level leader can best model integrity and ethical behavior by
transparently implementing policies, administrative rules, and regulations in a fair manner. A district-level leader can demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior by implementing policies, rules, and regulations in a fair manner. Being transparent is a key feature of ethical leadership.
An elementary school qualifies for Title I, Part A funds to implement a school wide model. To best follow regulations regarding use, the school can
upgrade the entire educational program of the school through ten components Schools that are eligible for a schoolwide model using funds from Title I, Part A, must upgrade the entire educational program of the school, which must include the ten components required by the federal government.
