Principal Assessment-Praxis 5412

1. A school leader has been appointed to an elementary school in which the scores on the fourth-grade state language-arts tests have been decreasing each year for the past three years. The weakest area is writing. With a goal of improving writing instruction, the school leader and the fourth-grade teachers decide to set aside time to examine and discuss student writing samples as a group. Each teacher brings copies of student writing samples to share with the group. Which of the following actions should the teachers take frst to improve instruction?

• (A)  Conducting an analytical review of all writing samples to assign scores

• (B)  Reviewing all writing samples to identify common areas of weakness

• (C)  Targeting students in need of remediation based on the writing samples provided

• (D)  Identifying benchmark-quality writing samples to use as exemplars for next year’s instruction

Answer explanation

The correct answer is (B). This question tests the school leader’s understanding of how to provide instruction that meets the standards of rigor measured by standardized assessment. Identifying specifc areas of weakness will help teachers focus instruction and assessment on those areas most likely to adversely afect students’ performance.

2. An elementary school leader is contacted by the parents of a student who broke his arm over the weekend. They are concerned that he will be unable to complete assignments because of his inability to write. The school leader can best address the parents’ concern by providing the student with services through

• (A)  temporary placement in special education

• (B)  Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

• (C)  Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

• (D)  occupational therapy

Answer explanation

The correct answer is (C). This question tests the school leader’s understanding of how to help maintain a supportive environment that meets the student’s educational needs. One of the eligibility factors for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a physical or mental impairment. The student can temporarily receive accommodations for completing assignments through Section 504.

3. Ms. Walsh, the school leader of a middle school, has a new assistant principal, Mr. Levinson. She is concerned that she will not be able to effectively train him while maintaining her responsibilities as the school leader. How can she best orient Mr. Levinson to his new position while still attending to her own responsibilities?

• (A)  Have Mr. Levinson shadow her for at least a week so he can learn his basic responsibilities

• (B)  Meet with Mr. Levinson, outline his responsibilities, and provide him with a detailed job description

• (C)  Spend a week working alongside Mr. Levinson, showing him school procedures and introducing him to teachers and students

• (D)  Ask another district assistant principal to serve as Mr. Levinson’s mentor, showing him the responsibilities of the job and offering him support and guidance

Answer explanation

The correct answer is (D). This question tests the school leader’s knowledge of efective strategies for supervising other school administrators and personnel. Providing mentorship by direct intervention with an experienced administrator over the entire school year will help to orient the new assistant principal in a consistent, ongoing manner.

4. A new high school leader observes a long- standing pattern of high rates of disciplinary referrals among students from ethnic minorities. Which of the following is the school leader’s best response to the observation?

• (A)

  Reviewing the disciplinary records of all students for the previous year

• (B) Prioritizing the recruitment of teachers who represent different cultures

• (C) Arranging professional development that builds teachers’ intercultural competency

• (D) Revising the code of conduct to acknowledge behavioral differences among cultures

Answer explanation

The correct answer is (C). This question tests the school leader’s knowledge of equity and cultural awareness. A long-standing issue indicates an underlying insufciency in teachers’ understanding of how culture afects behavior. Building intercultural competency is the frst step in addressing how teachers relate to students in this and other ethnic groups.

5. The newly appointed school leader of an elementary school is concerned about the performance of the fourth grade on the state standardized tests for mathematics. Which of the following should be the school leader’s initial step in developing a plan to improve students’ scores?

• (A)  Hire a staff developer to teach staff innovative approaches to mathematics instruction

• (B)  Collect information about the instructional methods, materials, and assessments currently in use

• (C)  Conduct a curriculum audit of the mathematics program at all grade levels

• (D)  Administer another assessment to identify specifc areas of weakness in students’ performance

Answer explanation

The correct answer is (C). This question tests the school leader’s knowledge of developing a plan to improve student assessment outcomes. A mathematics curriculum audit is an appropriate frst step because it will allow the school leader to ensure the curriculum is properly aligned with the standards and instruction across all grade levels in order to improve student assessment outcomes.

6. According to due process, teachers are entitled to

• (A)  the presence of a defense counsel at any hearing and the right to refuse to testify

• (B)  adequate notice of the charges against them and a hearing in which they have the opportunity to defend themselves against those charges

• (C)  an appeal of an adverse decision and exemption from disciplinary action while the appeal is being decided

• (D)  a cross-examination of an adverse witness and the control of conditions under which such examination takes place

Answer explanation

The correct answer is (B). This question tests the school leader’s knowledge of the basic due-process protections aforded to school personnel. The United States Constitution and key court cases give teachers the right to hear and contest charges against them.

7. A new school leader can best assess the competency of the campus faculty by

• (A)  asking teachers to complete weekly self- evaluations

• (B)  reviewing teachers’ past performance evaluations

• (C)  checking weekly lesson plans for alignment to state standards

• (D)  using walk-throughs that target evidence of positive student outcomes

Answer explanation

The correct answer is (D). This question tests the school leader’s knowledge of processes that best assess the competency levels of teachers. By conducting frequent walk-throughs, the school leader can observe teachers and gather evidence on whether they are utilizing efective instructional practices.

8. Ms. Sylvester, an elementary school leader, uses a classroom observation app during walk-throughs. She utilizes a feature that allows her to time stamp specifc teacher and student behaviors and make notes about what she observes. Once a walk-through is complete, the app instantly sends a report to the teacher. By using the app, Ms. Sylvester primarily demonstrates a commitment to

• (A)  storing important documentation for annual teacher evaluations

• (B)  using technology to expedite administrative tasks and duties

• (C)  modeling the appropriate use of observation tools

• (D)  having systems in place for providing timely feedback

Answer explanation

The correct answer is (D). This question tests the school leader’s knowledge of the purpose and benefts of a variety of data and communication systems. The school leader has established a data system that supports her role as instructional leader by providing timely and relevant feedback to classroom teachers.

9. Ms. Bartholomew chairs the business education department in a large vocational high school. She uses a portion of each department meeting to present issues to be discussed and decided upon by the department members. During meetings, members argue openly with one another and are unable to come to consensus on any of the issues presented. It is clear to Ms. Bartholomew that she must concentrate on team building if she ever expects to operate the department as a unit. Which of the following steps in team building should she concentrate on frst?

• (A)  Reinforcing that members’ contributions to the department are valued

• (B)  Communicating openly and frequently about the members’ progress in meeting the department’s goals

• (C)  Defning each member’s responsibilities, both individually and as they pertain to the department

• (D)  Establishing shared goals to which all department members are committed

Answer explanation

The correct answer is (D). This question tests the school leader’s knowledge of building consensus among staf through the development of shared commitments to implement the established vision and goals. For any team to be successful, it frst needs to have clear, shared goals and a sense of commitment toward working together to meet an agreed-upon outcome.

10. A school leader in a diverse community leads a school that does not currently have a parent-teacher organization (PTO) in place. The school leader prioritizes establishing a parent-teacher organization for the upcoming school year. Which of the following is a primary beneft of establishing a PTO in the school?

• (A)  The PTO will hold fund-raising events to supplement the school budget allowing for more signifcant purchases to be made.

• (B)  The PTO will assist the school administrators in making decisions about stude nt activities that impact education.

• (C)  The PTO will provide a way for parents to be more involved in their children’s education and foster a sense of community between families and educators.

• (D)  The PTO will reduce the number of transient families and establish a common vision for improved attendance and achievement.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is (C). This question tests the school leader’s understanding of the importance of collaborating with families to support student learning. A PTO helps break down barriers and encourages collaboration between parents and teachers.