TExES 268 Human Resource Management 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A campus principal is designing a new-employee orientation program. Which component is MOST critical to include?
- An overview of campus test score history and benchmark data
- Campus mission, culture norms, instructional expectations, and key operational procedures (Correct answer)
- Introduction to the district's payroll and benefits enrollment process only
- A tour of campus facilities led by the assistant principal
Correct answer: Campus mission, culture norms, instructional expectations, and key operational procedures
Effective orientation immerses new employees in campus culture, mission, and instructional expectations so they can contribute meaningfully from day one.
Question 2: Which practice BEST protects a principal legally when non-renewing a probationary teacher's contract?
- Providing written notice by the state-required deadline with documentation of performance concerns (Correct answer)
- Verbally informing the teacher before winter break that their contract will not be renewed
- Allowing the contract to expire without formal communication to avoid conflict
- Offering a one-year extension with improvement conditions to delay the non-renewal
Correct answer: Providing written notice by the state-required deadline with documentation of performance concerns
Legal non-renewal of probationary teachers requires written notice delivered by the state-mandated deadline, supported by documented performance evidence.
Question 3: A teacher reports a colleague for discriminatory remarks directed at students. The principal's IMMEDIATE obligation is to:
- Investigate the complaint confidentially and report findings to HR within required timelines (Correct answer)
- Wait to see if additional complaints are filed before taking any action
- Inform the accused teacher of the complaint and ask them to respond in writing
- Transfer the reporting teacher to another campus to protect them from retaliation
Correct answer: Investigate the complaint confidentially and report findings to HR within required timelines
Principals must act promptly on discrimination complaints, conduct a confidential investigation, and report to HR within required timelines to comply with Title VI and district policy.
Question 4: Which element of the Texas Education Code is MOST relevant when a principal recommends a teacher for termination during the contract year?
- TEC Chapter 21 provisions governing educator contracts, hearings, and due process rights (Correct answer)
- TEC Chapter 29 provisions governing special education services
- TEC Chapter 37 provisions governing student discipline procedures
- TEC Chapter 48 provisions governing school finance formulas
Correct answer: TEC Chapter 21 provisions governing educator contracts, hearings, and due process rights
TEC Chapter 21 governs educator contracts and provides due process rights including a hearing before the commissioner for mid-year termination recommendations.
Question 5: A teacher approaches the principal about a conflict with a colleague that is affecting their collaborative planning. What is the MOST appropriate principal response?
- Separate the teachers into different planning periods to eliminate all interaction
- Facilitate a structured mediation conversation and establish clear professional expectations for both parties (Correct answer)
- Advise the teacher to file a formal grievance as the only available option
- Dismiss the concern because professional disagreements are a normal part of workplace dynamics
Correct answer: Facilitate a structured mediation conversation and establish clear professional expectations for both parties
Principals should facilitate structured dialogue and set clear professional expectations to resolve interpersonal conflicts before they escalate.
Question 6: A campus is using walk-through observation data to guide professional development. This practice BEST reflects which HR principle?
- Using punitive accountability measures to pressure teacher improvement
- Aligning professional development to data-identified instructional needs of campus staff (Correct answer)
- Fulfilling the state-required number of professional development hours for compliance
- Delegating professional development planning entirely to the instructional coach
Correct answer: Aligning professional development to data-identified instructional needs of campus staff
Connecting observation data to professional development ensures PD is targeted, relevant, and directly linked to the instructional growth needs of staff.
Question 7: A principal discovers that a teacher submitted falsified continuing professional education (CPE) records for renewal of their educator certificate. The principal MUST:
- Give the teacher an opportunity to complete the missing hours before reporting the issue
- Report the falsification to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as required by the Educator Code of Ethics (Correct answer)
- Handle the matter internally through a written reprimand to avoid damaging the teacher's reputation
- Allow the teacher to resign quietly so the district avoids liability
Correct answer: Report the falsification to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as required by the Educator Code of Ethics
The Texas Educator Code of Ethics requires principals to report educator misconduct, including falsification of records, to TEA regardless of other circumstances.
TExES 268 Human Resource Management 4
A campus principal is designing a new-employee orientation program.
Which component is MOST critical to include?