Leadership

A school receiving funding through Title I, Part A, must A.develop a written school policy describing how parents will be included in school events and activities B.hold a quarterly meeting to inform parents of the school's participation in Title I programs C.notify parents when their child has been taught for two or more weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified D.provide a quarterly individual student report informing parents of the child's performance on state assessments

Option (A) is correct. A written school parental involvement policy is required by Title I regulation.

Which of the following is the best reason for a school principal to ask teachers, parents, and other community members how to improve teaching and learning at the school? A.Building a shared vision among various stakeholders B.Giving teachers an opportunity to request instructional materials C.Encouraging business partners to mentor students D.Justifying annual professional training for teachers and staff

Option (A) is correct. Principals should solicit input from stakeholders, including teachers and community members, in order to build a shared vision for the school.

Which of the following has research identified as a powerful instructional strategy that positively impacts student achievement? A.Providing timely feedback to students on their work B.Teaching content to students that the teacher enjoys C.Offering students extra materials to accomplish tasks D.Using journals to teach comparison in core subjects

Option (A) is correct. 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.

A high school principal assesses reading scores, which have shown a steady decline for the last few years. The chairperson of the reading department asks the principal for assistance in identifying methods to boost students' reading abilities. Which of the following data will be most important for the principal to suggest that the chairperson share in guiding the department's instructional decisions? A.Subskill reading assessment scores B.Reading scores from other schools C.Longitudinal reading achievement D.Student population demographics

Option (A) is correct. Subskill reading performance data will enable teachers to discern exactly which reading subskills (such as vocabulary) to spend more time teaching.

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? A.Comparing the performance of seventh graders on the annual state science assessment with the performance of previous seventh graders B.Comparing seventh-grade students' report card grades with their grades in fifth and sixth grades C.Discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the new curriculum with science teachers at the end of the school year D.Surveying parents and students for their feedback on the effectiveness of the new curriculum

Option (A) is correct. The results of the state assessment test are valuable because they provide quantifiable information by comparing like to like—in this case, seventh graders with seventh graders.

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? A.To demonstrate that technology is a valuable tool to enhance communication B.To ensure that classroom teachers are highly trained in current technology tools C.To guarantee that meetings are more productive by using technology D.To help school staff meet or exceed technology standards

Option (A) is correct. The use of technology demonstrates the administrator's belief that it enhances communication.

district-level leader can best model integrity and ethical behavior by A.delegating all responsibility for the well-being of teachers to school-level administrators B.transparently implementing policies, administrative rules, and regulations in a fair manner C.relying on consultants to determine the direction of district traditions, mission, and values D.using personal relationships to influence political, social, or economic decisions in the district

Option (B) is correct. 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.

Which of the following best describes an action of a principal working as a change agent? A.Maintaining open and effective lines of communication with staff B.Reviewing existing procedures with staff to identify needed improvements C.Reminding staff of important school policies that should be followed D.Being highly visible to school and community stakeholders on a regular basis

Option (B) is correct. 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.

Ms. Ballo, a fourth-grade teacher, is organizing additional, targeted instruction for students who are not showing mastery of grade-level knowledge and skill statements or 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 newly enrolled students are included. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the principal to take to address the situation? A.Assigning the new students to a different teacher to reduce Ms. Ballo's class load B.Having Ms. Ballo assess the new students' need to be included C.Asking Ms. Ballo to provide extra instruction to all new students D.Referring Ms. Ballo's new students to the special education coordinator for additional services

Option (B) is correct. Assessing the learning needs of new students will assist the school in better meeting their needs if learning gaps are found. Students who are newly enrolled could also be included in the remedial instruction if needed.

Which of the following questions will best help a school leader determine his or her reflective baseline? A.How am I going to reach my personal goal? B.Where am I now in relation to my personal goal? C.What evidence will I accept that I have reached my personal goal? D.How will I share my growth once I have reached my personal goal?

Option (B) is correct. 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.

Although staff members assisted in the development of the vision statement, "Whatever 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? A.Discussing concerns at the next school parent meeting about the achievement of LEP students B.Facilitating staff conversations to discuss how to better meet the needs of LEP students C.Registering teachers for a workshop that offers strategies for working with LEP students D.Requiring teachers with LEP students to obtain English speakers of other languages certification

Option (B) is correct. 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.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) specifically provides parents with the right to A.take possession of their child's original school records B.request that the school correct information in their child's records that they believe is inaccurate C.access information about students involved in a disciplinary incident with their child D.inspect their child's school transcript within 30 days of making the request

Option (B) is correct. It is a parental right provided by FERPA.

Which of the following information about a school district is most likely to build support among community stakeholders for the district's educational mission? A.The racial and socioeconomic demographics of the school population B.The district's vision of student success C.The employment status of former students D.The number of volunteer hours performed by community members

Option (B) is correct. 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.

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? A.Establishing Individualized Education Program committees that involve the parents B.Sending monthly invitations to parents listing opportunities where their involvement is requested C.Requiring that parents attend a parent-teacher conference each grading period D.Inviting one parent to join a school council so that parents have a representative voice

Option (B) is correct. The most appropriate strategy for fostering widespread parental involvement is to repeatedly communicate available opportunities to parents and to invite their participation.

A principal is reviewing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) with a teacher who struggles with student misbehavior. Which of the following components of PBIS should the principal emphasize first? A.Creating generalized behavior plans to address the needs of all students B.Designing behavior charts with individualized goals for misbehaving students C.Teaching and monitoring clear behavioral expectations of all students D.Implementing a consequence plan for misbehaving students

Option (C) is correct. 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.

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 A.cope with the death of an immediate family member B.care for any relative who has a serious health condition C.manage a serious health condition affecting the employee's essential job functions D.respond to family needs after a natural disaster in the local area

Option (C) is correct. 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 school improvement team recommends establishing professional learning communities (PLCs) to address identified instructional needs. Which of the following actions taken by the principal best promotes the successful implementation of PLCs? A.Selecting a book to be studied by teachers in each PLC B.Including only teachers who are interested in participating C.Establishing regular times for using data to inform practice D.Delegating the oversight of PLCs to the assistant principal

Option (C) is correct. 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.

Which of the following best describes the initial step in preparing a school's operating budget? A.Providing an estimate of revenue resources needed B.Preparing instructions for departments and programs C.Establishing and understanding the budget policy D.Developing a calendar based on the fiscal year

Option (D) is correct. 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 appropriate strategy for a principal to use to facilitate the participation of working parents in parent-teacher conferences? A.Providing child-care services during conference times to enable parents to attend B.Providing a videoconferencing service so parents can participate from their workplaces C.Allowing teachers to hold conferences at parents' workplaces D.Offering parents meeting times from early morning to the evening

Option (D) is correct. 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.

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? A.Calling the local legislative representative to discuss recent school successes as well as necessary facility upgrades B.Sending parents a newsletter that highlights the achievements of high-performing students each semester C.Inviting parents and community members to provide feedback while attending seasonal events at the school D.Posting the school's achievements each month on the Web sites for the school and the district

Option (D) is correct. 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.

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? A.Parents will be unsupportive because the requirement reduces the amount of time students will spend in areas of academic need. B.Students' face-to-face instructional time in core content areas will decrease due to requirements of the project. C.The requirement will cause the district to lose funding as a result of decreased enrollment among high school students. D.Students will develop a better sense of being able to make a difference and of increased engagement in their education.

Option (D) is correct. Research has shown a correlation between a sense of belonging and service learning.

Which of the following is the first step an educational leader should take to promote ethical behavior among the faculty and staff? A.Conducting periodic ethics audits to flag suspicious data or behavior B.Installing surveillance devices at random locations in the school building C.Having all personnel sign an ethics agreement at the beginning of each school year D.Providing staff with the knowledge needed to solve problems ethically

Option (D) is correct. 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.

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? A.The clerical roles to complete and time required of the paraprofessional B.The instructional roles the paraprofessional enjoys doing regularly C.The tasks the paraprofessional was asked to complete in previous jobs D.The skill level of the paraprofessional and needs of students in the classroom

Option (D) is correct. 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.

During an annual review of campus programs, a principal asks committee members to refer to the campus improvement plan while reviewing the effectiveness of various programs. By taking this action, the principal demonstrates an understanding of the importance of A.creating a culture of shared leadership among faculty B.ensuring curriculum programs are research based C.meeting the needs of diverse populations D.analyzing accomplishments against a benchmark

Option (D) is correct. 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.

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's attention to compelling concerns for student learning by developing a common vision.

In which of the following contexts are teachers most likely to freely recognize and address positive and negative beliefs about students? A.During a postobservation conference with the principal B.During a parent-teacher conference C.Within a district-level curriculum meeting D.Within their professional learning community

Option (D) is correct. 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.

Which THREE of the following actions are examples of a school leader demonstrating professionalism and ethics? A.Taking care of employees who show extra loyalty to the principal's efforts B.Developing positive relationships with students and parents C.Placing primary importance on students' best interests D.Making all financial and curricular decisions autocratically E.Accepting responsibility for school-related decisions and for their results

Options (B), (C), and (E) are correct. 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. Which THREE of the following questions will help the principal address this goal? A.How can we measure progress toward new goals? B.What are our strengths and weaknesses? C.What resources do we have to work with? D.What long-range goals are needed to support improvement? E.Which faculty are supportive of the change process?

Options (B), (C), and (E) are correct. 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.