Strategic Leadership Flashcards
1.) The school leader of a high school assesses reading scores, which have shown a steady decline for the last few years. The chairperson of the reading department asks the school leader for assistance in identifying methods to boost students’ reading abilities. Which of the following data will be most important for the school leader 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
A. Subskill reading assessment scores
Subskill reading performance data will enable teachers to discern exactly which reading subskills (such as vocabulary) to spend more time teaching
3.) During an annual review of school programs, a school leader asks committee members to refer to the school improvement plan while reviewing the effectiveness of various programs. By taking this action, the school leader 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
D. analyzing accomplishments against a benchmark
The school improvement plan provides detailed expectations for improvements and is being used by the school leader in a manner that encourages the committee to compare actual progress to goals set.
4.) A small district plans to implement a computer-based student information system (SIS). Teachers in the elementary school express concern about the requirement that student data will have to be entered on a weekly basis. Which of the following initial actions by the school leader best helps address the teachers’ resistance?
A.Giving a binder to each teacher on the features of the new student information system
B.Writing a grant to provide each teacher with a tablet to keep track of student data
C.Using a survey to determine how teachers currently monitor and report student progress
D.Measuring the quality of interpersonal relationships between staff through anecdotal data
C. Using a survey to determine how teachers currently monitor and report student progress
The survey will help reflect teachers’ current beliefs and assumptions about how student progress should be monitored and reported.
6.) The school leader of a middle school 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 school leader 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
A.Comparing the performance of seventh graders on the annual state science assessment with the performance of previous seventh graders
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.
7.) A school leader is working with the campus planning committee to develop a new strategic plan to better focus its efforts. The school leader wants the planning committee to begin by identifying the current state of school programs and campus culture. Which THREE of the following questions are best to ask to help the school leader 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?
B.What are our strengths and weaknesses?
C.What resources do we have to work with?
E.Which faculty are supportive of the change process?
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.
11.) Which of the following is the best reason for a school leader to ask teachers, parents, and other community members for suggestions to improve teaching and learning at the school?
A.To build a shared vision among various stakeholders
B.To give teachers an opportunity to request instructional materials
C.To encourage business partners to mentor students
D.To justify annual professional training for teachers and staff
A.To build a shared vision among various stakeholders
School leaders should solicit input from stakeholders, including teachers and community members, in order to build a shared vision for the school.
17.) The school leaders of elementary, middle, and high schools in a district set a goal of working together to decrease dropout rates among at-risk students. Which of the following will most effectively facilitate meeting the goal?
A.Establishing a professional learning community (PLC) in which school leaders will examine data, propose and test solutions, and track progress
B.Hosting parent outreach programs that emphasize the benefits of education and ways parents can work to encourage student attendance
C.Planning professional development for school leaders on research-based strategies for supporting the academic success of at-risk students at each grade level
D.Holding school-based study groups that investigate the root causes of the conditions that put students at risk of academic failure
A.Establishing a professional learning community (PLC) in which school leaders will examine data, propose and test solutions, and track progress
Professional learning communities are structured to systematically work together across grade levels to study the problems and seek solutions. By establishing PLC’s that monitor student attendance, behavior, and academic performance, the school leader promotes collective responsibility for monitoring factors that affect dropout rates.
24.) A school leader works with a committee of stakeholders to craft a new school vision statement. The most effective first step the school leader can take to support the committee’s work is to
A.indicate the inadequacies of the existing school vision statement
B.draft a vision statement that shows the school’s new direction
C.survey staff members regarding their core beliefs about instructional practices
D.facilitate dialogue to eliminate obstacles and validate committee members’ thoughts
D.facilitate dialogue to eliminate obstacles and validate committee members’ thoughts
By facilitating dialogue with committee members, the school leader is able to identify and address their concerns and have a better understanding of their thoughts and ideas.
39.) Given the changing mobility rate of students, the school leader decides to see whether there has been an impact on the overall student population. To gather the most relevant data, the school leader should review
A.student learning goals
B.school processes
C.student demographics
D.teacher perceptions
C.student demographics
Student demographics will best show whether there has been a change in student population.
61.) A school leader invites community members and parents to join a school improvement committee. Which of the following actions by a school leader will best promote accountability among the committee members?
A.Sharing student achievement data with the stakeholders
B.Developing a shared agreement regarding the stakeholders’ roles
C.Celebrating the stakeholders’ collaborative contributions
D.Organizing the stakeholders into subcommittees
B.Developing a shared agreement regarding the stakeholders’ roles
Developing an agreement and clarifying roles is an appropriate next step in ensuring accountability. If roles are vague, it is unlikely that stakeholders will share accountability for school progress.
65.) Which of the following is the most important reason for a school leader to share a school’s vision with stakeholders?
A.It encourages them to promote a positive image of the school.
B.It ensures consistent answers to questions about the school’s goals.
C.It helps focus their collaborative efforts on school improvement.
D.It promotes their sense of belonging and trust.
C.It helps focus their collaborative efforts on school improvement.
Stakeholder familiarity with the vision best guides plans to improve student achievement.
74.) A school leader meets with the school improvement committee at the beginning of the school year. During the meeting, the school leader presents the results of a comprehensive needs assessment which highlight the gaps between the school’s current status and its desired outcomes. Which of the following should be the school leader’s first guiding question?
A.Who will monitor progress toward meeting school and district benchmarks?
B.How will we ensure team consensus on controversial issues?
C.How do we develop a plan for change that addresses the most pressing needs?
D.What protocols will guide our decisions regarding work products?
C.How do we develop a plan for change that addresses the most pressing needs?
Developing a plan first can help guide the rest of the change process.
81.) Which of the following is a school leader’s best initial action for creating a school vision and goals?
A.Gathering data from stakeholders about their perceptions of a school’s purpose and values
B.Identifying services and programs that support the learning of specific student groups
C.Examining school curriculums to assess their vertical and horizontal articulation
D.Considering staff requests for professional development training
A.Gathering data from stakeholders about their perceptions of a school’s purpose and values
Defining the school’s purpose and values with a diverse section of the community will provide different perspectives when creating a vision and goals for success.
84.) “We help each and every student in our high school develop higher-order thinking skills and leadership skills in preparation for postsecondary education and the global workforce. We empower students to achieve their potential using community internships and projects.”
Which of the following is the most appropriate question to ask about the draft vision statement above?
A.Is the statement more reflective of a mission statement?
B.Does the statement communicate high expectations?
C.Does the statement express hopes for students’ futures?
D.Is the statement easy for stakeholders to understand?
A.Is the statement more reflective of a mission statement?
The current vision is more of a mission statement. Visions are broader statements and do not include specific strategies for ensuring student success.
90.) A school improvement committee has completed a revision of the school vision and goals. Which of the following is the committee’s best next step for gaining feedback on the revision?
A.Planning an open house to share the revised vision and goals with the public
B.Meeting with a focus group of stakeholders to discuss their impressions of the revised vision and goals
C.Requesting that the board of education discuss the vision and goals at their next closed meeting
D.Posting the revised vision and goals on the school Web page and inviting comment
B.Meeting with a focus group of stakeholders to discuss their impressions of the revised vision and goals
Establishing focus groups with stakeholders is the next step toward sharing the committee’s work with a broader audience.
