Constructed Response

Question 1

atures of Descriptive Writing

Answer 1

Features of Descriptive Writing Features of Analytic Writing
Gives information
Identifies or states something
Identifies concepts or strategies
and describes them accurately,
clearly, and in a logical manner
Writes in a manner that allows the
reader to see as the writer sees

Question 2

Features of Analytic Writing

Answer 2

Provides evaluation, justification,
and explanation supported by
evidence
Reveals thought processes used to
arrive at conclusions
Provides interpretation of the
evidence in the scenario

Question 3

Tips

Answer 3

To provide strong evidence when completing analytic writing, candidates should
consider the following.
• Ensure the evidence referenced is directly related to the conclusion being
made
• Ensure the evidence is appropriate for its intended purpose
• Reference evidence that provides the reader with a clear picture or proof
of the concept, strategy, or area being addressed in the response

Question 4

Tips

Answer 4

Reflective Questions for Written Responses by Candidates
Have you addressed all parts of the question?
Have you written your response so that it is clear and understandable?
Have you included evidence from the scenario documents to clearly support
your conclusions?
Have you checked your response against the scoring rubric?
Have you highlighted the evidence present in your response against the
qualities in the scoring rubric and sample responses for each score point?

Question 5

Tips

Answer 5

When preparing for the constructed-response questions, candidates should read the
sample questions and scoring rubric carefully. Candidates may wish to draft a
response to each sample question by reading the question and planning, writing,
and revising their essay. Then candidates should check their essay against the
scoring rubric and sample responses. Candidates should use the reflective questions
provided to enhance their understanding of each question and the scoring rubric.
No reference materials will be available during the test, so candidates should refrain
from using a dictionary, thesaurus, or textbooks while writing practice responses.
During the actual test, candidates will be able to take notes. However, candidates
should be mindful of time when taking notes and planning an outline for their
response. A candidate’s response is a draft response and will be scored based on
the scoring rubric only.
Candidates will have 5 hours to complete 70 selected-response questions and
4 constructed-response questions. While each candidate will use a different amount
of time to respond to each constructed-response question, it is estimated that
candidates can allocate about 25–35 minutes for each constructed-response
question to complete a 300-400 word response.

Question 6

Cognitive Process Questions for Candidates

Answer 6

What knowledge and skills does the question intend to assess?
What is the context of the question?
What is the primary decision or issue to be addressed?
How can you apply your knowledge of best practices to answer this
question?
How does evidence from the scenario support your conclusion?

Question 7

Test-Taking Strategies for Candidates

Answer 7

How can you pace yourself so that you finish within the suggested time frame?
How can you rephrase the question in your own words to ensure you understand it completely?
What are the key phrases presented in the question?
What is the important scenario information provided to support the question?
What would a brief plan or sketch of your response points look like?
For example:
Point ONE
Justification
Evidence
Evidence
Explanation
Point TWO
Justification
Evidence
Evidence
Explanation
After reviewing the scenario and documents, what evidence can you identify
to support the areas you plan to address?
How can you write your response concisely and completely?
How can you ensure your response is clear and understandable from the
reader’s perspective?
How should you approach your testing time?

Question 8

Cognitive Process Questions for Candidates
What knowledge and skills does the question intend to assess?
• Domain VII, Integration A, assesses a portion of Domains II and III—
The entry-level principal routinely monitors instruction through
classroom observations and attends teacher-led meetings in order to
coach and develop teachers by providing evidence-based feedback to
help teachers improve instruction.
What is the context of the question?
• An elementary school principal is preparing to provide instructional
coaching to a third-grade teacher.
• The principal reviews the teacher-created exemplar and student
responses to the exit ticket after observing the lesson to gain a better
understanding of student performance at the completion of the lesson.
What is the primary decision or issue to be addressed?
• You need to identify one high-leverage instructional practice needing
improvement and identify two high-leverage actions that can be
implemented by the teacher to address the practice needing
improvement.
How can you apply your knowledge of best practices to answer this
question?
• You can consider the actions the teacher took during the video of the
lesson and how they impact student learning.
• You can consider the instructional data (lesson plan, exemplar, exit
ticket responses, and the video) to help determine the effectiveness of
the teacher’s instructional practice.
• You can use the key terms listed in this manual to consider the
characteristics of a high-leverage instructional practice and apply that
definition to this teacher’s lesson.
• You can consider possible high-leverage actions that can best improve
the teacher’s instructional practice and why you would select each
action.
How does evidence from the scenario support your conclusion?
• You should ensure the instructional practice you identify is directly
supported by specific pieces of evidence in the video and/or documents
that will convince the reader of the importance of the instructional
practice needing improvement.
• You should reference and/or quote evidence from the scenario, video,
and documents to help convince the reader that the actions you
recommend are best practices to effectively and efficiently address the
instructional practice you have identified for improvement.

Answer 8

Test-Taking Strategies for Candidates
How can you pace yourself so that you finish within the suggested
time frame?
• You can note the time when you begin and when you finish your
response.
• You can chunk your time for reviewing the scenario, planning your
response, and drafting your response.
• You can consider ways to streamline your process after you complete
your response.
How can you rephrase the question in your own words to ensure you
understand it?
• The question has three parts: A, B, and C.
• Part A asks you to identify ONE high-leverage instructional practice that
needs improvement and to cite specific evidence from the documents
and video provided in order to justify your selection.
• Part B asks you to identify TWO high-leverage actions that the teacher
could implement to address the identified practice needing
improvement.
• Part C asks you to explain how the two actions you identify will help
improve the teacher’s practice and support student learning.
What are the key phrases presented in the question?
• “One high-leverage instructional practice … justify”
• “Two high-leverage actions … to address the instructional practice”
• “How the actions will improve … practice and support student learning”
What is the important scenario information provided to support the
question?
• Teacher’s lesson plan
• Teacher-created exemplar
• Item analysis for the exit ticket responses
• Sample student responses to the open-ended exit ticket questions
• Video clips from the lesson
What would a brief plan or sketch of your response points look like?
High-leverage practice
Evidence
Evidence
First high-leverage action
Second high-leverage action
Explanation of both actions
After reviewing the scenario and documents, what evidence can you
identify to support the areas you plan to address?
• You can confirm that you have selected strong points with convincing
evidence to support your justification and explanation.

How can you write your response concisely and completely?
• You can answer all parts of the question.
• You can base your response on the scenario and documents.
• You can cite evidence from the scenario and documents to support your
response.
How can you ensure your response is clear and understandable from
the reader’s perspective?
• Although not required, you can use bullets or lettering for the parts of
your response.
• You can make sure your response clearly communicates your intended
message in clear language.
• You do not need to have a perfectly written essay to earn a high score.
You should focus on the content you write and the accuracy of the
evidence and explanations or justifications you provide.
• You can compare your response to the attributes of the scoring rubric.
How should you approach your testing time?
• As an estimate, you can allocate about 25-35 minutes for this
constructed-response question.
• You can consider how much of the estimated time you are using to
complete your response.
• If you are completing your response at the upper end of the time
range, it is suggested to look for opportunities to streamline your
process to help move your time closer to the lower end of the time
range.