Comprehensive Assessment #1 - The Teacher

What is the best way to end written communication regarding a student's negative behavior? * A way to contact you to answer further questions or concerns * A request for suggestions to remedy the situation * An invitation to sit in and observe the class * A list of the student's positive qualities

* A way to contact you to answer further questions or concerns

Which of the following is an example of a teacher exhibiting flexibility? * Increasing the pace of an activity when all students understand quickly * Adding more problems to a homework assignment * Adapting instructional techniques to ensure student understanding * Changing to daily schedule to attend a school-wide assembly

* Adapting instructional techniques to ensure student understanding

How would you summarize the need for confidentiality of student data? * Only student grades need to be protected; demographic data is free to share. * Districts and schools have differing policies on what student data can and cannot be shared; be sure and ask an administrator. * All student data need to be kept confidential all the time. Student privacy is of upmost importance. * Only demographic data need to be protected, student grades and test scores can be made available to the class so they can see how they performed against their peers.

* All student data need to be kept confidential all the time. Student privacy is of upmost importance.

Why do you think it is so important that professional educators report suspicion of unethical behavior? * We must report suspicion of unethical behavior to protect our teaching certifications. * As teachers, we must be sure that everyone is following the rules at all times. * We are always trying to make sure that our co-workers stay out of trouble. * As teachers, we must always be looking out for the best interest of the children and always report any harmful or threatening activity.

* As teachers, we must always be looking out for the best interest of the children and always report any harmful or threatening activity.

What are the most important elements of a school system? * Classrooms * Students * Administrators * Teachers

* Classrooms

When would you recommend a teacher communicates to parents? * Communicate as often as possible with parents; some parents need daily emails. * Communicate with parents only when something bad happens; no news is good news. * Communicate with parents frequently and for a variety of reasons. * Communicate with parents only when something is really important.

* Communicate with parents frequently and for a variety of reasons.

What approach would you use if someone made a complaint about your ethical behavior? * Retaliate. If someone makes a false accusation against you, the best approach is to do the same to them. * Contact a lawyer. Once a complaint has been made, you are sure to need legal representation. * Continue to act in a reasonable and professional manner. Retaliation is sure to make things worse. * Transfer to another school. Once your reputation is ruined at your campus, the parents and staff will never let it go.

* Continue to act in a reasonable and professional manner. Retaliation is sure to make things worse.

Can you list three things a teacher could share with a parent on a first phone call home? * Discuss student progress in math * Share an anecdote from class * Introduce yourself as the child's teacher * Complain about the child's behavior

* Discuss student progress in math * Share an anecdote from class * Introduce yourself as the child's teacher

Mr. Green placed all of the books in his classroom library in bins. Each bin is labeled with a particular genre. What characteristic of effective teaching is Mr. Green practicing? * Effective teachers are organized * Effective teachers understand how to create a positive atmosphere in the classroom * Effective teachers understand differentiation * Effective teachers build success in their classrooms

* Effective teachers are organized

Each day when students enter Mrs. Finn's biology classroom, she displays a list the day's needed materials and the activity students should begin work on immediately. Once the bell rings, she says what is written on the board aloud to her students. What characteristic of effective teaching is Mrs. Finn practicing? * Effective teachers hold high expectations for learners. * Effective teachers communicate clearly. * Effective teachers show a good attitude. * Effective teachers understand how to create a positive atmosphere in the classroom.

* Effective teachers communicate clearly.

While students are working on a group project in Mrs. Hatcher's 4th grade classroom, she walks by a particular small group. Two of the students in the group are discussing their favorite video games. She puts a hand on the shoulder of each of the off task students as she walks by. The students end their conversation and get refocused on their assignment. Which characteristic of effective teaching is Mrs. Hatcher practicing? * Effective teachers focus on what they control * Effective teachers understand how to create a positive atmosphere in the classroom * Effective teachers show a good attitude * Effective teachers establish successful classroom management techniques

* Effective teachers establish successful classroom management techniques

Which form of nonverbal communication is negative? * Folded arms * A head nod * Eye contact * Hands out and palms up

* Folded arms

What is the distinction between formative and summative assessment? * The only distinction is that summative assessments are graded. * Formative assessment guides how you teach and is ongoing, whereas summative assessment allows you to measure growth of individual or group learning. * The only distinction is when they are given to students. * Summative assessment guides how you teach and is ongoing, whereas formative assessment allows you to measure growth of individual or group learning.

* Formative assessment guides how you teach and is ongoing, whereas summative assessment allows you to measure growth of individual or group learning.

Ms. Jones wrote the following praise on Toby's essay about the causes of the Civil War. Great work. It is clear you know your stuff. What suggestion would you offer Ms. Jones to improve on the praise she has offered to Toby? * Read the praise aloud to the class. * Offer more clean praise. * Give a specific example of something Toby did well. * Add another form of praise in her comments.

* Give a specific example of something Toby did well.

Mr. Peters has just completed a math lesson and his students are working on a practice set. As Mr. Peters circulates the room, he notices that a large percentage of students are not grasping the concept. What would be the best thing for Mr. Peters to do next? * Stop and help each struggling student individually. * Ask the students to stop working and reteach the lesson * Go through the first two problems of the practice set together with the whole class * Do the work for one of the problems on the board and call students' attention to it when he is finished.

* Go through the first two problems of the practice set together with the whole class

What is the best way to explain why educators should refrain from using their position for personal development? * Personal gain can appear as impropriety. * It is unfair to be gaining financially when under contract with a school district. * Personal development is against the Code of Ethics. * Teachers need to be focused on their students' academics at all times.

* Personal gain can appear as impropriety.

At a recent faculty meeting, Mr. Peters, the school principal, asked teachers to make a point of developing more personal relationships with students. Which of the following is one way to easily implement that directive? * Offer more written praise on tests and quizzes * Make a point to sit with a few students each day at lunch. * Greet students at the door at the beginning of each day or class period * Call each student at home to see if they have any homework questions

* Greet students at the door at the beginning of each day or class period

Mr. Klein is in the middle of a conference with Lucy's parents. He is discussing some of the issues that Lucy and Julia have been having in class. Here is an excerpt of their conversation. Mr. Klein: I want to discuss some of Lucy's recent behaviors in class. I have observed Lucy and another student, Julia, having a disagreement at their lockers and not showing one another the respect I expect in my classroom. Lucy's Mother: I see. Would this Julia you mention happen to be Julia Friedrich? If it is, she and Lucy have been having problems since the 1st grade. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. I assure you, we will have a conversation with Lucy as soon as we get home. How did Mr. Klein handle this conversation incorrectly? * He revealed the name of the student that Lucy was having an issue with. * He should have contacted Lucy's mother the first time an issue occurred between Julia and Lucy. * He did not offer a solution of his own for the problem. * He engaged in gossip with Lucy's mother.

* He revealed the name of the student that Lucy was having an issue with.

A student in Mr. Garcia's classroom is tapping his pencil during the lesson. What is the first thing Mr. Garcia should do to address the problem? * Tell the student to stop * Ignore the student behavior * Give the student a consequence * Take the pencil away from the student

* Ignore the student behavior

How is random questioning an effective questioning technique? * It increases student engagement during a lesson. * It catches students when they are not paying attention. * It allows teachers to ask higher order thinking questions. * It decreases wait time.

* It increases student engagement during a lesson.

How would you explain why not to use a school district computer as your own personal device? * It is subject to search by your employer at any time * School computers are very expensive and their use must be limited by teachers in order to maximize student use. * School computers must remain at school at all hours of the day. * All teachers should have a personal computer anyway

* It is subject to search by your employer at any time

Based on the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE), how would you explain an educator's responsibility to confront and take steps to resolve conflicts between the Code of Ethics and implicit or explicit demands of a person or organization? * In this state, professional educators must report conflicts only if they have actually witnessed them. * Professional educators are responsible not only for themselves, but for everyone else's actions also. * Implicit demands must be reported but explicit demands do not have to be reported. * It is your responsibility to follow the guidelines of the South Carolina Department of Education with regard to ethical violations.

* It is your responsibility to follow the guidelines of the South Carolina Department of Education with regard to ethical violations.

As you pass the teachers' lounge, you hear two of your colleagues talking about the amount of student noise in your classroom yesterday. Rather than going in the lounge to confront the teachers, you decide to walk by not letting their discussion affect your day or your teaching plans. According to the Teacher-To-Teacher article, which of the principles to building positive relationships with staff members did you exhibit? * Refuse to engage in gossip or hearsay * Let the water roll off your back * Don't worry about accolades * Be open-minded

* Let the water roll off your back

Maria stayed after school with Mr. Watkins for some extra help in math. At the end of their session, Maria told Mr. Watkins her mom wouldn't be able to pick her up for another hour. Mr. Watkins gave Maria a few dollars to pay bus fare home. What better solution could Mr. Watkins have offered to Maria? * Mr. Watkins should have asked Ms. Smith, who lives in Maria's neighborhood, to drive her home. * Mr. Watkins should have called a taxi for Maria. * Mr. Watkins should have waited with Maria until a parent could pick her up. * Mr. Watkins should have driven Maria home himself.

* Mr. Watkins should have waited with Maria until a parent could pick her up.

Ms. Fischer is frustrated that her students did not score better on their last math test. She doesn't know what she could have done differently. She spent the entire class period before the test writing example after example on the board. Most students even took vigorous notes as did each example. What change would you suggest to Ms. Fischer? * Ms. Fischer should have given behavior consequences to students not taking notes. * Ms. Fischer should have asked check for understanding questions as she went through the problems. * Ms. Fischer should have gone over the exact problems that were on the test. * Ms. Fischer should have gone over each problem more slowly.

* Ms. Fischer should have asked check for understanding questions as she went through the problems.

Mrs. Jones has asked you to proofread this excerpt from her upcoming classroom newsletter. Winter is quickly approaching. Be sure to send your child to school with all the outdoor gear he/she needs. Thanks! What improvement would you suggest to Ms. Perez? * Ms. Perez should give more detail about what students need. * Ms. Perez should not include this excerpt in her classroom newsletter. * Ms. Perez should use a more formal register. * Ms. Perez should discuss what the class will do on days when it is too cold to go outside.

* Ms. Perez should give more detail about what students need.

What conclusions can you draw regarding the need for parents and teachers to share information with one another? * Parents and teachers each only need to be responsible for their portion of a child's academic success. * Parents and teachers should not share information with one another. Students do not want their teachers and parents to talk to each other. * Parents and teachers always need to support each other's decisions regarding students. * Parents and teachers need to work together as a team to support students academically.

* Parents and teachers need to work together as a team to support students academically.

Which of the following are examples of how an educator can show commitment to ongoing professional learning and development? * Peer observations * Honest self-reflection on their own teaching * Reading and research * Changing grade levels each year

* Peer observations * Honest self-reflection on their own teaching * Reading and research

Mr. Fitzpatrick recently attended a teachers' conference where he learned some new techniques that he would like to try out in his 7th grade Social Studies class. He's not sure how they will work in his classroom because the teacher he heard about them from is a 3rdgrade teacher. He thinks that with a few adaptations he will be able to implement them with his students. What should Mr. Fitzpatrick do? * Wait a week and see if he still thinks the techniques are great * Practice the techniques with a colleague * Leave the techniques alone and try them in this class tomorrow * Implement his adapted techniques, but let his students know this is something he's never tried before

* Practice the techniques with a colleague

Based on the saying "Ignorance of the law is no excuse," how would you explain its relevance to the Educator Code of Ethics? * Teachers must be take a certification test on ethics prior to becoming a teacher in South Carolina. * Professional educators are responsible for knowing and understanding state, local, and school laws and regulations. * School districts are responsible for training their new staff on the Code of Ethics prior to their first day of teaching. * Schools administrators are responsible for educating staff members on South Carolina's Code of Ethics.

* Professional educators are responsible for knowing and understanding state, local, and school laws and regulations.

According to Ben Bissell, which of the following is not an effective example of praise? * Immediate praise * Specific praise * Public praise * Clean praise

* Public praise

Mrs. Williams is a fifth grade teacher. She is feeling frustrated because her lesson on finding the main idea of a text did not go as well as she had hope it would today. At the end of class, she did not feel her students had a firm grasp on the concept. What should Mrs. Williams do? * Revisit the idea of main idea with the next text her class reads. * Reflect on the lesson and plan additional activities that will better teach her objective. * Make a note in her plans that the lesson did not work and remember to skip the skill next year. * Reteach the same lesson tomorrow with a less complex text to ensure better understanding.

* Reflect on the lesson and plan additional activities that will better teach her objective.

Mrs. Young receives an email from Larry's mom about an incident that happened in her classroom between Larry and another student, Vince. Mrs. Young remembers the two students having a disagreement, but does not know all the details. How should Mrs. Young respond to Larry's mom? * Call Larry's mom immediately and ask for more details regarding the incident * Call Vince's home to make his family aware of the situation * Respond to Larry's mom's email to let her know she is looking into the situation * Wait for Larry's mom to contact her again

* Respond to Larry's mom's email to let her know she is looking into the situation

Mrs. Henrik's principal, Mr. Gomez, failed to come to her classroom to observe her teaching for her yearly evaluation. This is the second time that he has missed a scheduled appointment with her this school year. What should Mrs. Henrik do regarding the situation? * Mrs. Henrik should wait until Mr. Gomez sends an email with another observation date. * Schedule an appointment with Mr. Gomez to discuss the situation with him. * Discuss the situation with a friend that is not associated with the school. * Talk about the situation with other colleagues to see if Mr. Gomez has missed appointments with them also.

* Schedule an appointment with Mr. Gomez to discuss the situation with him.

How would you show your understanding of the benefits of collaborating with your colleagues in order to promote the best interest of students? * Seek out colleagues with positive attitudes and surround yourself with professionals * Developing personal relationships with coworkers * Vent to each other about difficult students * Eating lunch in your classroom to avoid talking about students

* Seek out colleagues with positive attitudes and surround yourself with professionals

How can you best summarize an educator's responsibility to incorporate state and national standards into his/her planning, instruction, and assessment? * Standards are only required in underperforming schools. * Standards are designed to ensure equity in each child's education regardless of differences in school districts. * Teacher performance is evaluated on his/her use of state standards. * Standards are only a suggestion, and teachers need to use their knowledge of professional pedagogy when implementing standards.

* Standards are designed to ensure equity in each child's education regardless of differences in school districts.

How would you show your understanding of professional responsibility to the Code of Ethics? * Teachers do not have to worry about reading the Code of Ethics; their administrator is responsible for this. * Teachers need to use the Code of Ethics and their own beliefs to uphold the Code of Ethics. * Teachers must always follow the Code of Ethics despite their personal beliefs. * Teachers must consider their own personal beliefs over the Code of the Ethics.

* Teachers must always follow the Code of Ethics despite their personal beliefs.

How is the social media related to the Code of Ethics? * Teachers cannot use social media for communication with students. * Teachers' private life social media accounts are not a part of their job, so therefore they do not relate. * Teachers must monitor their use of social media for communication and keep it professional at all times. * Teachers need to have separate social media accounts for school communication and for their personal lives.

* Teachers must monitor their use of social media for communication and keep it professional at all times.

How is cyberbullying related to the Code of Ethics? * The Code of Ethics outlines how teachers must monitor student technology use and communication for cyberbullying * Cyberbullying is not related to the Code of Ethics * Teachers must report even if it is not happening on school property because it has the potential to ruin the school environment for a child * Teachers must educate students about cyberbullying but are not responsible for it as it takes place off campus

* Teachers must report even if it is not happening on school property because it has the potential to ruin the school environment for a child

How would you summarize how technology is beneficial in the classroom? * Students love to use technology so we need to make sure and use it as often as possible to make sure our students like our class. * Technology is our future, so we must always incorporate technology in our lessons. * Technology allows teachers to better address students' needs, to enhance teaching and learning, and to allow students greater freedom of expression. * Students are growing up in a world that relies on technology so we must also.

* Technology allows teachers to better address students' needs, to enhance teaching and learning, and to allow students greater freedom of expression.

At the end of the school day, Mr. Lawrence is not feeling very well. He makes sure he has all of his materials prepared for the next day in case he needs to call in sick. He has made all of his copies, laid out his lesson plans, along with a class roster, and a seating chart. He's also laid out his substitute folder that includes evacuation plans, a classroom behavior plan, and discipline forms. What else should Mr. Lawrence leave out for a substitute teacher? * The name and room number of another teacher close by * His home phone number in case of emergency * He has included everything he needs * The plans for the following school day in case he needs to take another sick day

* The name and room number of another teacher close by

Why do you think it is important to keep your opinions or beliefs about faculty members or school board members to yourself even at a casual neighborhood party among friends and neighbors? * Your opinions about coworkers and/or board members are not to be shared. * This type of talk should be kept for the workplace only. * Talking about others is socially inappropriate. * These comments could be interpreted as violating confidentially or disrespecting school policies or procedures.

* These comments could be interpreted as violating confidentially or disrespecting school policies or procedures.

How do effective teachers strive to maintain an atmosphere where learning flourishes? * They never admit when they make a mistake. * They have regular discussions with school maintenance staff. * They take the blame even when they may not be at fault. * They learn to say I'm sorry in situations where they have made a mistake.

* They learn to say I'm sorry in situations where they have made a mistake.

Which statement best supports why teachers should not get romantically involved with parents, guardians, student teachers, colleagues, or supervisors? * This could potentially be awkward at the conclusion of the relationship * Relationships come second to student learning * Romance can complicate the work environment * This creates multiple relationships for the teacher

* This creates multiple relationships for the teacher

Why is professional development important for all teachers? * To seek assistance in behavior management techniques * To increase the content knowledge and instructional skills of a teacher * To validate the struggles teachers may be having in their classrooms * To have interactions with teachers outside of the school building

* To increase the content knowledge and instructional skills of a teacher

Why is it important to build respectful, positive relationships with all professionals (teachers, custodians, administrators, librarians, etc.) in a school? * To show value for each individual's contribution to the school * To guarantee assistance from colleagues if it is ever needed * To ensure the school runs smoothly * To be viewed as friendly by peers

* To show value for each individual's contribution to the school

For her math lessons, Mrs. Taylor usually works through many different practice problems on the board for students. She talks through each problem as she works through it on the board. She is struggling to understand that why despite all of the different problems she works through on the board, students are still struggling with some of the concepts. What suggestion would you offer Mrs. Taylor to improve on student understanding? * Eliminate behavior problems during instructional time * Walk around the room during instruction * Decrease the rigor of the examples * Increase the number of example problems

* Walk around the room during instruction

What does the term fair is not equal mean? * Each teacher had different idea for what is fair * Treat all students the same * No two students should be treated in the same way * What is fair for one student may not be fair for another student

* What is fair for one student may not be fair for another student

What does the term "multiple relationships" mean? * When students have cousins in the class * When teachers have professional relationships and personal relationships with students * When teachers are related to administrators * When teachers have friendships with other teachers

* When teachers have professional relationships and personal relationships with students

How do you summarize how professionals should maintain student trust and confidentiality with students in a developmentally-appropriate manner? * You should make every effort to safeguard student communication and never share it. * You should make every effort to safeguard student communication and only share it when there are ethical considerations which require you to share. * You should make every effort to safeguard student communication and only share it with their parents. * You should make every effort to safeguard student communication and only share it with administrators.

* You should make every effort to safeguard student communication and only share it when there are ethical considerations which require you to share.