texes prep

Question 1

Shortly after she is hired, the new principal of an elementary school in a small rural district discovers that there are no records of preventive maintenance on key components of the school’s physical plant, including the water pump, the boiler, the ventilating system, and so forth. During their joint inspection of the facilities, the head custodian tells the principal that the previous principal preferred not to include money for preventive maintenance in the regular budget. Instead, maintenance was performed on one or more pieces of equipment whenever extra funds were available at the end of the school’s fiscal year. The principal can best rectify the situation by using which of the following strategies?

Answer 1

Transfer funds in the school budget to allow preventive maintenance to be performed immediately on all components of the physical plant

Question 2

You have a large minority school population. You school is in academic danger due to present state and report card grades. You are considering providing staff development on?

Answer 2

Understanding student diversity and its impact on learning and staff perception.

Question 3

A teacher has given you her semester report with the results of a reading program her team introduced. The results are not promising. What is your first response? D1/C1

Answer 3

Support innovative thinking and risk taking within the school community and view unsuccessful experiences as learning opportunities.

Question 4

During the transition to a teaming system, which of the following steps would be most appropriate for a principal to take to help ensure the success of the new system?

Answer 4

Provide faculty with direction regarding course content, teaching philosophy, and individual team responsibilities.

Question 5

Joanne Cooper is the new principal at Middleton High School, a medium-sized school where the number of English Language Learners enrolled in the ESL program has increased markedly in the last few years. Soon after Dr. Cooper’s arrival at Middleton, she learns that some faculty members are concerned about their ability to provide effective instruction to their students who have limited English proficiency. Then Dr. Cooper receives a letter signed by the parents of several English Language Learners. In the letter, the parents state that teachers and programs at Middleton are not sufficiently responsive to their children’s academic needs. Dr. Cooper responds to the parents’ letter by inviting the parents to attend a meeting with the principal and selected members of the faculty. After exploring the situation, Dr. Cooper concludes that the school must find ways to enhance instruction for its English Language Learners. She works with others in the school community to consider alternative strategies that might be used to achieve this goal. Eventually, she decides the school should begin its improvement efforts by offering all teachers professional development opportunities aimed at increasing their knowledge about English Language Learners and strategies for working with them effectively in the classroom. Dr. Cooper’s actions best reflect an understanding of the responsibilities she has as an educator to:
I. exhibit a positive role in relations between the school and the public.
II. serve as an advocate for all students.
III. use an objective approach to student-related decision making.
IV. promote awareness of students’ learning differences and needs.

Answer 5

II and III only

Question 6

Scoville Regional High School includes a number of students who perform poorly in their classes and on standardized tests and who have high truancy and dropout rates. Principal James Owens created a special task force to identify ways the school might address the needs of these at-risk students more effectively. In response, the task force has proposed organizing an alternative education program with “learning academies” for the at-risk students. Each learning academy would have approximately 15 students led by a team of teachers who would work with the students throughout the school year. An individual learning plan would be created for each student. These plans would be designed to address a student’s specific needs, promote academic knowledge and wishes to do after graduation. Members of the school community can best ensure the success of the learning academy program by creating a program plan that:

Answer 6

includes procedures for monitoring program success through ongoing evaluation and feedback.

Question 7

A new Crisis Management Plan requires a Crisis Response Kit to be kept permanently in the principal’s office. Which of the following would be most important to include in the kit?

Answer 7

2 way radios

Question 8

Rosalind Kahn, the principal of Oak Grove Middle School, forms a committee to develop a program to substantially expand the range of exploratory courses available to students. These courses are intended to provide students with opportunities for hands-on learning experiences in a wide range of areas such as the arts, entrepreneurship, floriculture, and computer programming. In designing the new program, the committee should begin by taking which of the following actions?

Answer 8

Identify specific groups of students who are most likely to be interested in participating in this type of program.

Question 9

Joanne Cooper is the new principal at Middleton High School, a medium-sized school where the number of English Language Learners enrolled in the ESL program has increased markedly in the last few years. Soon after Dr. Cooper’s arrival at Middleton, she learns that some faculty members are concerned about their ability to provide effective instruction to their students who have limited English proficiency. Then Dr. Cooper receives a letter signed by the parents of several English Language Learners. In the letter, the parents state that teachers and programs at Middleton are not sufficiently responsive to their children’s academic needs. Dr. Cooper responds to the parents’ letter by inviting the parents to attend a meeting with the principal and selected members of the faculty. Dr. Cooper can best help ensure a positive and productive meeting if her primary goal for the meeting is to:

Answer 9

listen to the parents’ views and their ideas about how the school might address the issues that are of concern to them.

Question 10

Soon after the school year begins, a new principal learns that computer equipment has been stolen from a school classroom. The police are called and discover that the building was entered at night through a door left unlocked after a meeting of a local civic group. The principal learns that the previous principal had given keys to many individuals and groups in the community that use the building after regular school hours. The principal immediately arranges for all the locks on the school doors to be changed. Which of the following additional steps would be most effective and appropriate for improving security after school hours?

Answer 10

Require that any group planning to use the building sign out a key during regular school hours and return it the next day.

Question 11

Serena Wilson, the principal of Maxwell High School, is leading an effort to develop a plan for a comprehensive professional development program for faculty and other professional staff in the school. As a first step, Ms. Wilson works with the school’s site-based decision-making (SBDM) committee to define the goals of the program and discuss types of professional development activities that might be appropriate. Members of the SBDM committee are discussing various professional development activity formats that could be included in the program. As they consider different options, they should be aware that professional development activities are most likely to be effective when they:

Answer 11

prompt participants to define their own activity goals and determine how best to achieve them.

Question 12

John Rollins is the new principal at South Meadow, a suburban elementary school. In recent years, South Meadow has had to cope with rapid growth in the student population, budget reductions, frequently changing administrative staff, and other problems that have affected all segments of the school community. One consequence of the problems at South Meadow has been a significant decline in faculty morale. Near the end of the last school year, three teachers submitted their resignations, and during the summer, one additional teacher resigned. In light of the resignations, Mr. Rollins decides that addressing the teacher morale problem will be one of his top priorities. Mr. Rollins can best gain insight into factors affecting teacher morale at South Meadow by using which of the following approaches?

Answer 12

Conduct a thorough review and analysis of teachers’ personnel files, paying particular attention to problems noted in recent years.

Question 13

Ralph Nestor, the new principal of Norcross High School, is aware that Norcross has been experiencing problems related to school climate. One of the most serious issues facing the school is a lack of cross- cultural understanding and communication, as is evident from the high levels of tension among students from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Mr. Nestor considers it his mission, as principal, to begin the process of transforming Norcross into a cohesive and mutually supportive learning community that takes pride in and gains strength from its diversity. Of the following, the most effective way for Mr. Nestor to provide for the involvement of parents/guardians in this initiative would be to:

Answer 13

institute a variety of forums that will promote an ongoing exchange of ideas between parents/guardians and school personnel.

Question 14

The principal is attending a public event. The Principal suddenly realizes that the group of parents around him are actively discussing the school and giving input on a variety of ideas and possible actions. The principal is aware that this parental communication and input is an important part of: D1/C2

Answer 14

Collaboration with parents in shaping the campus culture.

Question 15

During a community meeting, the principal shares a new reading program. Several parents voice strong objections and opposition to the new program and express their surprise for the change. What strategy, by the principal, should have been followed to begin the meeting? D1/C2

Answer 15

Presenting data showing student weaknesses in reading and relating possible changes to the present program.

Question 16

During a parent/teacher conference the support team recommends to the parents that their child be referred for special education services. The student’s parents are upset by this recommendations and refuse. Which of the following is likely to be the most effective and appropriate response by the principal? D1/C3

Answer 16

Acknowledge the parents feelings and offer additional information about the rationale for the special education referral.

Question 17

Serena Wilson, the principal of Maxwell High School, is leading an effort to develop a plan for a comprehensive professional development program for faculty and other professional staff in the school. As a first step, Ms. Wilson works with the school’s site-based decision-making (SBDM) committee to define the goals of the program and discuss types of professional development activities that might be appropriate. Based on their past experiences, some professional staff at the school have a generally negative attitude about participating in professional development activities. Ms. Wilson is considering ways to address such negative attitudes about participation in the new program. Which of the following is most likely to be an effective way to address this issue?

Answer 17

Do not use participation in professional development activities as a criterion in staff performance evaluations.

Question 18

Serena Wilson, the principal of Maxwell High School, is leading an effort to develop a plan for a comprehensive professional development program for faculty and other professional staff in the school. As a first step, Ms. Wilson works with the school’s site-based decision-making (SBDM) committee to define the goals of the program and discuss types of professional development activities that might be appropriate. Which of the following actions is most likely to provide Ms. Wilson and the SBDM committee with the best information about potentially useful professional development topics and activities to include in the school’s plan?

Answer 18

Obtain information from central office staff about areas for professional development being emphasized for district staff teaching at lower grade levels.

Question 19

You have had the unfortunate responsibility of recommending non-renewal for a teacher. The superintendent, after reviewing all of your information, agrees. This indicates you know how to? D2/C6

Answer 19

Implement effective, appropriate, and legal strategies for the promotion, discipline, and dismissal of campus staff.

Question 20

The new principal has just completed her first lengthy meeting with the SBDM. During the meeting, a sense of frustration and program disillusionment was evident. What should the new principal do, first? D1/C2

Answer 20

Implement effective strategies for systematically communicating with and gathering input from all campus and community stakeholders.

Question 21

A new principal has reviewed the latest test scores, attendance and budget reports. She begins a series of meetings with her teaching staff and shares her concerns and ideas for possible changes. During a brief conversation, one of her older teachers suggest that she may be moving too fast. What is the principal’s first obstacle in moving forward with change? D1/C2

Answer 21

Building consensus for the new direction.

Question 22

Alex Klemm has been principal at East River Elementary School for two years. When he arrived, the educational climate at the school was poor, faculty morale was low, and parent/guardian and community involvement in the school was minimal. Student performance on the state’s standardized achievement test, the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS), was also poor. After consulting with faculty and other stakeholders, Mr. Klemm identified student improvement on the TAAS as a key goal. He believed that one important means for improving student test scores was to improve the educational climate at the school, so he worked hard to energize the faculty, promote use of new instructional methods, and increase the involvement of parents/guardians and the community. In his second year as principal, faculty morale, community involvement, and school climate have all improved, but student test scores on the TAAS remain low. Mr. Klemm is beginning to feel substantial pressure from parents/guardians and the district office to improve test scores. In Texas’s system of educational accountability, the most important purpose of the TAAS is to:

Answer 22

determine the extent to which students have learned the content and skills they are expected to learn.

Question 23

Alex Klemm has been principal at East River Elementary School for two years. When he arrived, the educational climate at the school was poor, faculty morale was low, and parent/guardian and community involvement in the school was minimal. Student performance on the state’s standardized achievement test, the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS), was also poor. After consulting with faculty and other stakeholders, Mr. Klemm identified student improvement on the TAAS as a key goal. He believed that one important means for improving student test scores was to improve the educational climate at the school, so he worked hard to energize the faculty, promote use of new instructional methods, and increase the involvement of parents/guardians and the community. In his second year as principal, faculty morale, community involvement, and school climate have all improved, but student test scores on the TAAS remain low. Mr. Klemm is beginning to feel substantial pressure from parents/guardians and the district office to improve test scores. During a meeting with parents/ guardians, one parent makes the following comment. I don’t see how anything the school does can have much effect in the long run. As we improve our kids’ test scores on TAAS, other schools will also be improving. The passing grade will just keep rising and we’ll always be behind the curve. Mr. Klemm can best respond to this concern by explaining:

Answer 23

the concept of criterion-referenced testing.

Question 24

You are the new principal of the middle school. You have just witnessed a fight on the school grounds, as students are loading buses for the evening. Both students kicked and hit each other in the stomachs and face. You break up the fight. What is your next step? D2/C7

Answer 24

Take them to the nurse’s office and then follow procedures.

Question 25

Alex Klemm has been principal at East River Elementary School for two years. When he arrived, the educational climate at the school was poor, faculty morale was low, and parent/guardian and community involvement in the school was minimal. Student performance on the state’s standardized achievement test, the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS), was also poor. After consulting with faculty and other stakeholders, Mr. Klemm identified student improvement on the TAAS as a key goal. He believed that one important means for improving student test scores was to improve the educational climate at the school, so he worked hard to energize the faculty, promote use of new instructional methods, and increase the involvement of parents/guardians and the community. In his second year as principal, faculty morale, community involvement, and school climate have all improved, but student test scores on the TAAS remain low. Mr. Klemm is beginning to feel substantial pressure from parents/guardians and the district office to improve test scores. Mr. Klemm decides to meet separately with various stakeholder groups (e.g., faculty, parents/guardians) to talk about the need for school improvement and to listen to views regarding problems and possible solutions. After meeting separately with each stakeholder group, Mr. Klemm plans to establish an ad hoc committee that will include representatives of all groups and that will examine possible reasons for the current situation and recommend future actions. Which of the following are the most important advantages of meeting separately with each stakeholder group before establishing an ad hoc committee that includes members of all groups?
I. Each group will have an opportunity to formulate a unified position reflecting its own interests and needs to present to the ad hoc committee.
II. The principal will have an opportunity to identify individuals who are articulate and informed to serve on the ad hoc committee.
III. Individuals will have an opportunity to express some thoughts and ideas more freely than they might in a meeting that includes all stakeholder groups.
IV. The principal will have an opportunity to become familiar with the range of views and perspectives that exists within each group.

Answer 25

III and IV only

Question 26

A parent appears at your office door and demands a meeting. He is emotional and upset with a teacher. What are your actions starting from first to last? D1/C2
I. Asks the parent to return when you can set-up a meeting between him and the teacher.
II. Listen to the parent’s views and concerns.
III. Ask for your school counselor to attend the meeting.
IV. Together with the parent list a series of goals for the next meeting.

Answer 26

II, III, and IV

Question 27

At a recent community event, the principal was asked, by several parents to implement a new elective high school classed based on the local Baptist belief. The parents remarked that since, Ò95 % of the community is Baptist; they should have a class to strengthen those community values What is the principal’s first response to this question? D2/C4

Answer 27

He will remind parents that all curricula are listed and identified by the state and there must be a certified individual to teach the elective class.

Question 28

John Rollins is the new principal at South Meadow, a suburban elementary school. In recent years, South Meadow has had to cope with rapid growth in the student population, budget reductions, frequently changing administrative staff, and other problems that have affected all segments of the school community. One consequence of the problems at South Meadow has been a significant decline in faculty morale. Near the end of the last school year, three teachers submitted their resignations, and during the summer, one additional teacher resigned. In light of the resignations, Mr. Rollins decides that addressing the teacher morale problem will be one of his top priorities. Mr. Rollins decides to examine current school policies to determine whether any of these may be having a negative effect on teacher morale. Which of the following policies reviewed by the principal is most likely to be contributing to the morale problem?

Answer 28

conducting annual teacher evaluations using predetermined, standardized criteria

Question 29

Mr. Donato, the principal of a middle school, receives notification that several teachers will be leaving at the end of the school year. He shares this news with the school’s site-based decision-making (SBDM) committee. Since the school’s faculty does not currently reflect the school’s diverse student population, the SBDM committee decides that one of its hiring goals should be to increase faculty diversity. Mr. Donato plans to discuss the goal of increasing faculty diversity with various school constituencies. In talking about this issue, it would be most appropriate for him to cite which of the following as important benefits of increasing faculty diversity?
I. communicating a positive message to all students and staff about the role and value of diversity in their school and society
II. increasing the availability of school personnel who understand the needs and perspectives of students from varied backgrounds
III. offering students from all back- grounds access to an expanded range of teaching styles and pedagogical techniques
IV. providing students from diverse backgrounds with positive role models and an increased likelihood of educational success

Answer 29

II and IV only

Question 30

As a principal you know, all teachers of English Language Learners must first: D1/C3

Answer 30

Design instruction that takes into account English Language Learners prior learning experiences and cultural backgrounds.

Question 31

The implementation of a new school dress code is most likely to be successful under which of the following conditions?

Answer 31

Procedures exist to communicate with all segments of the school community on an ongoing basis about implementation successes and problems.

Question 32

Rosalind Kahn, the principal of Oak Grove Middle School, forms a committee to develop a program to substantially expand the range of exploratory courses available to students. These courses are intended to provide students with opportunities for hands-on learning experiences in a wide range of areas such as the arts, entrepreneurship, floriculture, and computer programming. Which of the following steps should the committee take first in determining what kinds of exploratory courses to add to the curriculum?

Answer 32

Develop a list of exploratory courses that would tie in with students’ other learning.

Question 33

You need to submit a contract request to your superintendent. This teacher has been through a year’s professional development and the appraisal system process. The evaluation report reads: Domain 1 (active, successful student participation in the learning process): Little evidence of improvement. Domain 2 (learner Centered instruction): Little evidence of improvement. Domain 6 (professional development): Some evidence of improvement. What is your recommendation to the superintendent? D2/C6

Answer 33

non renewal

Question 34

Scoville Regional High School includes a number of students who perform poorly in their classes and on standardized tests and who have high truancy and dropout rates. Principal James Owens created a special task force to identify ways the school might address the needs of these at-risk students more effectively. In response, the task force has proposed organizing an alternative education program with “learning academies” for the at-risk students. Each learning academy would have approximately 15 students led by a team of teachers who would work with the students throughout the school year. An individual learning plan would be created for each student. These plans would be designed to address a student’s specific needs, promote academic knowledge and skills, and help the student prepare for whatever he or she wishes to do after graduation. Which of the following is likely to be the greatest benefit of the learning academy program in terms of enhancing the overall climate and culture at Scoville Regional High?

Answer 34

It will reinforce the view that all students in the school are expected and able to learn and achieve.

Question 35

Change to a teaming system can be expected to be most beneficial to teachers in which of the following ways?

Answer 35

Teachers will have expanded opportunities to share experiences with peers on their teams and to learn from one another.
D Teacher interactions with students and others in the school community will be facilitated due to the ongoing availability of a peer support group

Question 36

A new elementary school principal arrives at a school that has a history of low student achievement. Overall student performance on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) is very poor, and many students are unable to keep up when they move on to middle school. The principal has been working with the school’s site-based decision-making (SBDM) committee toward the goal of improving student performance, and they have decided to arrange for a peer review auditing team to assess the school. The principal wants the review team’s audit to be as useful as possible for future campus planning. The team could best ensure such usefulness by focusing primarily on identifying:

Answer 36

systemic components that are interfering with the school’s accomplishment of its instructional mission.

Question 37

Three of your teachers have just returned from a national conference. You set aside a full day of in-service so these professional educators may share their findings with the staff. This shows the principal knows how to? D2/C5

Answer 37

Facilitate the development of a campus learning organization that supports instructional improvement and change through ongoing study of relevant research and best practice.

Question 38

The new principal is informed by his superintendent that his reading staff is very weak. What should be the second action by the principal? D2/C6

Answer 38

Analyze the formative and summative teacher evaluations to enhance her knowledge and skills of the reading teachers.

Question 39

One of the best strategies for closing the achievement gap of a student is to? D2/C4

Answer 39

Provide before, during and after school tutoring programs.