IL Principal test 195 (subtest 1)

An elementary school recently began implementing a new reading program to improve student scores on state reading assessments. The principal can best support implementation of the new reading program by using which of the following strategies?

ensuring that relevant faculty and staff have adequate release time to learn about and prepare to use the new program.

3 multiple choice options

A principal is analyzing student assessment data with a team of teachers. An initial review of school data indicates that eighth grade scores in writing showed significant improvement beginning two years ago compared with eighth grade scores in similar schools in the district and the state. On the other hand, the school's either grade scores in reading started to decline two years ago relative to student performance in other similar schools. The principal could best use this information to improve the school program by guiding the team to answer which of the following questions first?

was there a significant shift in the focus of the school's reading and/or writing instruction beginning three or four years ago?

3 multiple choice options

2 years ago an elementary school adopted a new science program for students at all grade levels. Recently, students in certain grades took standardized tests in science that are aligned to the new program. The principal has planned a series of meetings in which teachers will use the test results to analyze the effectiveness of the new program in promoting student learning. The principal begins the meetings by reviewing basic test data, such as the percentage of students at each grade level tested who met standards in different areas of science. Which of the following steps would be most useful for the principal to take next in guiding the teachers to use the data for program evaluation and improvement?

identifying meaningful patterns of student performance in the data

3 multiple choice options

School principals are likely to be most successful in creating a culture that focuses on high expectations and academic excellence for all students if they consistently communicate which of the following messages to school stakeholders?

All students are capable of becoming successful learners and it is our responsibility to help them reach their full potential

3 multiple choice options

A principal makes a practice of conducting informal classroom observations on a regular basis and following up the observations with brief written feedback to teachers. The principal should be aware that this feedback is likely to be most effective in helping teachers improve student outcomes if the feedback:

is framed in the context of concrete examples (eg, actions, statements) observed by the principal.

3 multiple choice options

If the superintendent gives teachers feedback related to their teaching, which of the following gives that feedback validity?

instructional Leadership

3 multiple choice options

Which of the following encourages all staff to grow professionally for the benefit of students, and can reinforce a culture of high expectations in the district?

Improving teaching that is already deemed effective

3 multiple choice options

What type of assessment is sued to evaluate student learning for mastery, and typically occurs at the end of an instructional unit, grading period, or school year?

Summative assessments

3 multiple choice options

What model focuses on using time spent in the classroom to support students in guided practie, rather than the delievery of instructional content?

Flipped classroom model

3 multiple choice options

Regarding school accountability, which of the following was previously the sole focus and is used to describe how students perform on state-mandated assessments?

Student performance

3 multiple choice options

Conducting regular walks through the plants, receiving formal and informal feedback , and employing plant operators are all great ways for the leader to:

Monitor the physical plants for safety and compliance

3 multiple choice options

Which term is used by the No Child Left Behind Act to describe the minimum qualifications of a teacher?

Highly qualified

3 multiple choice options

School procedures for emergency situations should be available at all times via:

Written form

3 multiple choice options

What is the essence of discipline?

The practice of training or teaching behavior

3 multiple choice options

The best way that the district leader can ensure equitable treatment of students and staff is to:

Develop and adhere to policies and procedures

3 multiple choice options

Which of the following is NOT true regarding intrinsic motivation?

In the absence of a reward, intrinsic motivation significantly decreases

3 multiple choice options

Systems designed for the protection and advocacy of students should be based on:

The needs of the student population

3 multiple choice options

Which of the following is objective, will encourage the district leader to make sound decisions, and is essential to offering transparency in decision-making?

Data

3 multiple choice options

Once a leader has identified weaknesses through self-reflection, which of the following can be hired to help with targeted skill-building and professional growth?

Coaches

3 multiple choice options

Designing teams, rather than individuals, to work on components of the plan can assist in overcoming what potential barrier?

Loss of staff

3 multiple choice options

Which of the following can support the implementation of the district vision and goals by inspiring others, conveying priorities, and garnering stakeholder support?

Leading by example

3 multiple choice options

The leader's behavior should exemplify the district's vision and goals through:

Non-verbal communication

3 multiple choice options

Which of the following has the purpose of documenting services provided, specifically services with no monetary compensation?

Memorandum of understanding

3 multiple choice options

A newly appointed principal has been advised that the teachers on campus are disgruntled and resistant to change. Which of the following is the best action for the principal to take first to address this issue?

Meet with a focus group of teacher leaders and allow them to voice their concerns

3 multiple choice options

A school leader is developing school goals for the campus for the new academic school year. Which of the following should be included in the goals to best support a culture of learning.

Increased student completion of advanced placement courses

3 multiple choice options

When developing a vision for the school, which of the following sources of information is most critical to consider?

School, local, state, and federal policies

3 multiple choice options

Which of the following is the most crucial question to consider when developing school goals?

Are the school goals aligned with the school vision?

3 multiple choice options

The math teachers on campus suggest to the school leader that improved academic performance in math should be one of the school's goals. The school leader agrees and decides to create a measurable goal for the student math performance. Which of the following is the best example of a measurable math performance goal?

90% of 8th grade students will ear at least a B average in their math class

3 multiple choice options

Which is a practice that the national research studies find school leaders should avoid when speaking publicly and in other communication with key stakeholders?

Becoming engaged in large scale open forums

3 multiple choice options

What is the primary purpose of professional Learning Communities?

To facilitate collaboration among teachers

3 multiple choice options

An assistant principal is reviewing a reading teacher's gradebook and notices that the students have very few grades entered for the marking period. The assistant principal is concerned and plans on meeting with the reading teachers. Which of the following questions is most important for the assistant principal to ask the teacher during this meeting?

How do you document student mastery of objectives?

3 multiple choice options

A high school principal ensured that the campus was fully staffed with highly qualified teachers at least a month before the start of the school year. What is the primary benefit of this effort?

All teachers will have an opportunity to participate in trainings and professional development prior to the start of the year.

3 multiple choice options

Alternative high school principals Mohr and Dichter (2001) codified developmental stages that school staff undergo to become learning communities. What stage is associated with the emergence of a sense of community?

The honeymoon stage

3 multiple choice options

Of the following, which accurately reflects a principle of adult learning that applies to professional development for teachers?

Adults learn best when they are involved in the planning of instruction

3 multiple choice options

According to multiple research studies, what is a characteristic of school leaders related to evaluating teacher effectiveness?

The most effective school leaders are better at identifying the best and worst teachers on their staff

3 multiple choice options

The dean of instruction conducted a classroom observation of a 7th grade math teacher and noticed that the math teacher was not following the curriculum for the math department. When asked, the math teacher informed the dean that the students were not ready for the standards identified in the curriculum and that he chose to review standards from 6th grade instead. Which of the following would be the best response from the dean to the math teacher?

Direct the math teacher to teach the standards outlined in the curriculum.

3 multiple choice options

A school leader wants to create a risk-taking environment for teachers where they feel comfortable improving their practices for teaching and learning. Which of the following actions should the school leader take to accomplish this goal?

Allow teachers to choose their own PD opportunities

3 multiple choice options

Which of the following is accurate about the uses of data in goal-related activities?

Data connected to vision and mission enable monitoring progress for goals.

3 multiple choice options

Of the following, which is an advantage of developing a school vision collaboratively?

Visions tend to be more appropriate to their local school district contexts

3 multiple choice options

In school change process, which of these is an example of a first-order change?

Forming site-based school advisory councils

3 multiple choice options

A school principal would like to engage a variety of stakeholders to inform the development of the school's mission and vision. Which of the following strategies would best accomplish this goal?

Distribute a survey to students, parents, staff, and community members.

3 multiple choice options

An elementary school principal severs at a school in which many of the parents of students speak little or no English. The language barrier creates challenges in communication, parent engagement, and the reinforcement of learning at home. Which of the following actions would best help the principal to address this challenge?

Partner with an adult ESL program in the community and offer free ESL classes on campus

3 multiple choice options

Which of the following is most accurate about effective and appropriate school and co-curricular activities to prepare high school students for college and careers?

High school curricula should be pertinent to student lives, communities, and cultures.

3 multiple choice options

Which of the following actions best illustrates how a school leader engages with the community in a proactive manner?

The school leader attends the community holiday parade

3 multiple choice options