Competency 0003 Flashcards
Apply knowledge of how to build and sustain an inclusive, supportive school culture and learning environment focused on high expectations, equity, and achievement and well-being for every student.
Before the start of the school year, the principal of a high school in a district characterized by increasing poverty rates determines the dropout rate has increased by approximately 10 percent over three school years. Further analysis reveals that currently, approximately 60 percent of students graduate in four years and approximately 30 percent go on to college. In responding to these findings, which of the following steps would be most effective for the principal to take first?
A. increasing the amount of money and support that is available for programs that prepare students for college
B. providing extra intervention services for those students who are at the highest risk for dropping out of school
C. working with stakeholders to identify ways in which the school can respond to the changing needs of students
D. meeting with parents/guardians to discuss supplementing school instruction with home support for student learning
Correct Response: C.
The increase in the dropout rate and low percentages of students who graduate in four years and go on to college are likely due to multiple factors in- and outside of school. Before taking action to address these concerns, the principal’s best first step will be to work with school stakeholders and gain their perspectives on conditions at the school. Students, their parents/guardians, and teachers are best positioned to understand what is driving trends with regard to dropout and graduation rates and to identify how the school can meet the needs of every student.
Staff at a middle school are ready to implement instructional changes designed to improve students’ math achievement. In planning these changes, the school leader has guided staff in a review of current research on math instruction and an examination of students’ math performance for the last three years. The leader can best ensure that the planned changes achieve the desired results by prompting staff to take which of the following additional actions?
A. outlining steps for phasing in the instructional changes with one subgroup of students at a time
B. communicating the rationale for the instructional changes to students and their families
C. seeking individual professional development as needed to prepare for the instructional changes
D. developing a plan for assessing student improvement during and following the instructional changes
Correct Response: D.
This question requires examinees to demonstrate understanding of how to advocate, nurture, and sustain a positive culture of learning that emphasizes high expectations and an instructional program that promotes success for all student groups. An integral part of any modification designed to improve student achievement is a carefully thought-out method for determining whether the changes that are going to be implemented actually produce the desired outcomes. Therefore, a plan for assessing student improvement during and following the instructional changes must be a built-in component of any new instructional initiative.
- A newly hired principal works with the school’s leadership team to evaluate the current school culture. They determine that the academic and social supports currently available are insufficient to meet the needs of all students. In order to address this concern, the principal’s highest priority should be working collaboratively with teachers to:
A. review research-based best practices for supporting students.
B. establish clear and attainable targets for improving student supports.
C. develop subject- and grade-specific programs for supporting students.
D. analyze assessment data to identify students who are in need of support.
Correct Response: B.
A successful change process requires clearly defined, attainable targets towards the ultimate goals. By prioritizing the establishment of such targets early in the planning process—and involving the faculty in defining the targets—the principal ensures that planning to improve student supports includes indicators of measurable progress that, as they are attained, build support for the improvements.
Before the start of the school year, the principal of a high school in a district characterized by increasing poverty rates determines the dropout rate has increased by approximately 10 percent over three school years. Further analysis reveals that currently, approximately 60 percent of students graduate in four years and approximately 30 percent go on to college. In responding to these findings, which of the following steps would be most effective for the principal to take first?
A. increasing the amount of money and support that is available for programs that prepare students for college
B. providing extra intervention services for those students who are at the highest risk for dropping out of school
C. working with stakeholders to identify ways in which the school can respond to the changing needs of students
D. meeting with parents/guardians to discuss supplementing school instruction with home support for student learning
Correct Response: C
A low-performing elementary school has a goal of increasing student performance in math and reading by a defined amount. Students take district-mandated interim assessments in these areas from time to time during the year as well as state assessments near the end of each year. The school’s new principal decides to have a large, brightly colored chart created that will be used to graphically display changes in student performance in math and reading over time. The chart will be placed in a prominent spot in front of the cafeteria. Which of the following is likely to be the most significant benefit of the principal’s decision to use the chart?
A. providing a continuous reminder to staff and students about the connection between daily learning activities and test performance
B. making critical information about the school readily available to all members of the school community
C. communicating to the entire school community the school’s strong commitment to improved student achievement
D. enhancing staff and student recognition of the important role of academic testing in the life of the school
Correct Response: C
According to research, which of the following changes in a learning environment is likely to have the greatest positive effect on students’ attitudes and motivation regarding learning?
A. expanded use of high-quality computer-based instruction
B. increased focus on individual versus group activities
C. expanded availability of adults to provide assistance in the classroom
D. increased number of instructional formats employed by the teacher
Correct Response: A.
An elementary school has developed a system where teachers provide the parents/guardians of students with a monthly “learning bulletin” that contains information about what their children will be studying in the coming month as well as a description of what families can do to support their children’s learning at home. The learning bulletins include, for example, tips for promoting students’ homework completion and strategies for reinforcing students’ current learning during everyday activities such as meal preparation and during games families can play together. Inclusion of the learning bulletins in the school program is likely to be most effective in helping achieve which of the following goals?
A. communicating to families that teachers can best fulfill their responsibilities when families are willing to assist and support them
B. facilitating teachers’ ability to address the full range of required curricular content within the constraints of available class time
C. prompting families to view themselves as valued partners who can play an important role in promoting students’ school success
D. ensuring personalized, motivating, and equitable learning opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and family situations
Correct Response: C
A new principal in a low-performing school wants to eliminate some instructional practices commonly used by teachers in the school and replace them with practices that have been shown to be more effective at promoting student learning. After meeting with initial teacher resistance, the principal finds research suggesting that teachers’ readiness to learn and change often depends in part on their confidence and self-esteem. In the situation described, the principal can best apply this understanding by using which of the following approaches?
A. having the teachers assess their own needs and draw their own conclusions about new teaching practices to improve their performance
B. introducing new teaching practices by involving the teachers in low-risk activities in smallgroup settings
C. prompting the teachers to locate and read information about targeted new teaching practices before asking them to try the practices themselves
D. creating a menu of new teaching practices for the teachers to incorporate independently at their own pace
Correct Response: B
In reviewing the results of a school culture and climate survey administered to students, the principal finds that ratings were particularly low in a section of the survey addressing students’ motivation and sense of being encouraged to achieve high standards of academic performance. The principal can best follow up on this result by taking which of the following actions first?
A. analyzing students’ grades and test scores to compare the students’ perceptions with actual performance trends
B. increasing informal observation of interactions among students to try to gain additional insight into the low ratings
C. administering a similar survey to teachers to determine whether their ratings show a similar pattern
D. soliciting input from school staff regarding likely reasons for the low student ratings and possible solutions
Correct Response: D
The teachers in a school are assigned to teams that were established to enhance the school’s functioning and provide team members with various types of professional support. A key goal driving the school at this time is to “set and achieve high academic and behavior expectations for every student.” In observing the teams, the principal can best ensure that they are striving to meet this goal if team members are seen to focus most attention on exploring and addressing which of the following questions?
A. How should we respond to students who experience difficulties in learning?
B. What skills and content are most important for our students to learn?
C. How can we ensure that behavior management approaches are equitably applied?
D. In what ways do our students’ lives outside of school impact their performance?
Correct Response: A.
Which of the following guidelines applied in developing a new student code of conduct for a school or district would best help ensure the creation of an effective document?
A. Describe behavior expectations and consequences for infractions as precisely, comprehensively, and concretely as possible.
B. Use the school or district vision as a blueprint for defining appropriate behavior expectations and consequences to include in the code.
C. Define behavior expectations and consequences for infractions in ways that can accommodate substantial flexibility and judgment in enforcing the code.
D. Emphasize behavior expectations and consequences for infractions that reflect as much as possible students’ experiences in their homes and community.
Correct Response: A
Although an elementary school has a good record of performance, the principal believes that teaching and learning in the school could be improved. The principal decides that one way to promote such improvement is to create a school environment that encourages innovation and responsible risk taking among faculty. Which of the following strategies is likely to contribute most to the development of this type of environment?
A. implementing a system for providing faculty with regular updates about current trends and research in elementary education
B. giving faculty regular opportunities for collaborative problem solving and sustained support for implementing workable solutions
C. allowing faculty considerable autonomy in selecting student learning goals and determining how to achieve them in their classes
D. visiting classrooms regularly and offering faculty praise for what they are doing well and suggestions for addressing observed needs
Correct Response: B.
Which of the following observations made by a high school principal is most likely a sign that there may be inequitable treatment of students in the school?
A. Elective classes in science and social studies tend to have half as many students as required classes.
B. Content-area teachers tend not to modify instruction for English Language Learners and instead deliver the same instruction to all students.
C. A large number of African American, American Indian, and Hispanic students participate in fine arts classes.
D. Some students with special needs attend general classes throughout the entire school day, while others attend a resource room for part of the day.
Correct Response: B.
In which of the following circumstances would a principal be most justified in granting a teacher’s request that a student be removed from the classroom?
A. The teacher has determined that the student’s classroom performance makes it highly unlikely that the student will be eligible for promotion.
B. The student’s unwillingness to complete assignments on time is having a negative effect on the morale and motivation of other students.
C. The teacher has determined that the student’s behavior seriously interferes with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with other students.
D. The student’s unwillingness to participate in group activities creates an unfair amount of work for the other members of the groups to which the student is assigned.
Correct Response: C.
A principal is working with faculty to ensure instruction reflects the cultural backgrounds and lived experiences of all students. Which of the following steps would best support this goal?
A. Offering professional development focused on designing culturally
responsive curriculum and instruction
B. Requiring teachers to use the same materials across grade levels for consistency
C. Sharing demographic data to help teachers better understand their students’ backgrounds
D. Encouraging teachers to incorporate cultural celebrations and holidays into classroom activities
Correct Answer: A
Targeted professional learning supports teacher capacity to implement culturally responsive instructional practices schoolwide.
A principal learns that a student returning from suspension is experiencing continued conflict with peers and has begun skipping class. Which of the following responses by the principal would best support the student’s reintegration and promote a positive school climate?
A. Assign the student a mentor to help improve their attendance and monitor behavior
B. Arrange a restorative circle involving the student, peers, and staff to rebuild relationships and set expectations
C. Require the student to sign a contract outlining behavior goals before returning to class
D. Refer the student for long-term counseling services to address behavioral issues
Correct Answer: B
Restorative circles foster accountability, relationship repair, and student reintegration following exclusionary discipline.
A principal reviewing enrollment data in the school’s advanced and honors programs notes that few students from historically underserved groups are represented. Which of the following actions should the principal take first to promote equitable access to advanced learning opportunities?
A. Encourage teachers to identify more students of color and low-income students for advanced course placement
B. Partner with families of underrepresented students to discuss options for advanced coursework
C. Facilitate a staff review of current enrollment procedures to identify and eliminate potential barriers
D. Lower the course requirements for advanced classes to widen eligibility
Correct Answer: C
Reviewing and revising enrollment practices helps address systemic inequities and ensures fair access to rigorous learning opportunities.
During a classroom walk-through, a principal observes that some students are disengaged and struggling to access the lesson. To promote equitable instruction, the principal should encourage the teacher to take which of the following steps?
A. Implement a variety of instructional strategies that allow students multiple ways to engage with and express their learning
B. Refer disengaged students to an intervention team for targeted academic support outside class
C. Group students by ability levels and provide leveled assignments accordingly
D. Allow students to opt out of
assignments that do not match their preferred learning preferences
Correct Answer: A
Providing multiple means of engagement and expression supports access to learning for all students and fosters inclusive classroom environments.
A middle school principal is leading a schoolwide initiative to support students’ social-emotional development. Which of the following actions by the principal would best ensure the initiative becomes an integral part of the school’s learning environment?
A. Requiring teachers to conduct brief SEL check-ins at the beginning of each class period
B. Embedding SEL competencies into instructional planning and ongoing staff professional development
C. Encouraging teachers to refer students with social-emotional needs to school counselors
D. Posting SEL strategies in classrooms for teachers to use as needed
Correct Answer: B
Integrating SEL into curriculum and professional learning supports long-term, schoolwide implementation and student well-being.
A high school principal reviews data from a school climate survey and notes that many students report feeling disconnected from school decisions and culture. The principal wants to enhance students’ sense of voice and belonging. Which of the following actions by the principal would best support this goal?
A. Conducting listening sessions where students can share concerns
anonymously with school leadership
B. Creating a student advisory council that provides input on school climate and improvement initiatives
C. Administering additional surveys to identify specific areas of student dissatisfaction
D. Hosting student assemblies focused on expectations and the importance of student responsibility
Correct Answer: B
Involving students in leadership decisions through a representative advisory council promotes inclusion and strengthens school culture.
What resources are available to meet the range of learning needs of students and promote student engagement?
Resources include differentiated instructional materials, assistive technologies, access to specialized support staff (e.g., special education professionals, counselors), extracurricular programs, and community partnerships that provide additional learning opportunities.
What are strategies for building a safe, caring, and healthy school environment that meets the needs of students?
Building such an environment involves implementing comprehensive social-emotional learning programs, establishing clear anti-bullying policies, providing mental health resources, fostering strong relationships among students and staff, and engaging families and the community in school activities.
How can an instructional leader act with cultural competence and responsiveness?
An instructional leader demonstrates cultural competence by engaging with the community to understand diverse perspectives, integrating culturally responsive teaching practices, advocating for policies that promote equity, and continuously reflecting on and addressing personal biases.
What are strategies that can be used to alter institutional biases?
Strategies to address institutional biases include conducting equity audits, facilitating professional development on implicit bias, revising policies that inadvertently disadvantage certain groups, and fostering an inclusive school culture that values diversity.
