TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A principal reviews data showing that students with strong executive function skills (working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control) outperform peers academically. Which school-wide practice BEST supports executive function development?

Reducing physical education time to increase academic seat time
Increasing standardized testing frequency to build discipline
Embedding structured routines, goal-setting, and self-monitoring strategies across classrooms (Correct answer)
Grouping students with weak executive function separately for remediation

Correct answer: Embedding structured routines, goal-setting, and self-monitoring strategies across classrooms

Structured routines, explicit goal-setting, and self-monitoring directly exercise and strengthen the executive function skills that predict academic success.

Question 2: A principal is evaluating a teacher whose students frequently report not understanding instructions. The root cause is most likely which communication issue?

The teacher allows too many student questions during instruction
The teacher gives too many examples during lessons
The teacher uses vocabulary and sentence complexity above students' comprehension level (Correct answer)
The teacher speaks too loudly during instruction

Correct answer: The teacher uses vocabulary and sentence complexity above students' comprehension level

Using language that exceeds students' comprehension level is a primary barrier to understanding instructions, particularly for ELLs and students with language-based learning differences.

Question 3: What role does empathy play in Texas Education Agency Principal Certification client interactions?

It helps build trust and understand client needs (Correct answer)
It slows down the process
It shows weakness
It is unnecessary in professional settings

Correct answer: It helps build trust and understand client needs

Empathy allows professionals to understand client perspectives and feelings, building trust and improving service quality.

Question 4: Under the Texas Safe Schools Act, which of the following is a required component of a school's multihazard emergency operations plan?

Procedures for responding to natural disasters, armed attacks, and other hazards (Correct answer)
Fire evacuation procedures only
Social media monitoring protocols only
Technology backup and recovery systems

Correct answer: Procedures for responding to natural disasters, armed attacks, and other hazards

The Texas Safe Schools Act requires EOPs to address multiple hazard types including natural disasters, armed attacks, and other emergencies, reflecting the 'multihazard' designation.

Question 5: According to Texas Education Code, which group must be represented on a campus Site-Based Decision Making (SBDM) committee?

District-level administrators and board trustees
Teachers, parents, business community representatives, and community members (Correct answer)
Only certified teachers and administrators
Teachers and the principal only, with optional parent advisory input

Correct answer: Teachers, parents, business community representatives, and community members

Texas law requires SBDM committees to include professional staff, parents of students at the campus, business community members, and community members at large.

Question 6: What is the primary role of a school principal in educational leadership?

Limiting teacher collaboration
Overseeing financial budgets exclusively
Serving as an instructional leader and ensuring student success (Correct answer)
Managing only administrative tasks

Correct answer: Serving as an instructional leader and ensuring student success

A school principal serves as the instructional leader, ensuring student achievement, teacher effectiveness, and a positive school environment.

Question 7: A student is repeatedly bullied and tells a school counselor but asks that nothing be done. What is the school's legal and ethical obligation under Texas law?

Honor the student's request and keep the information confidential
Wait until a parent formally files a complaint before taking action
Notify the bully's parents only and take no further action
Investigate the reported bullying and implement appropriate interventions regardless of the student's request (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Investigate the reported bullying and implement appropriate interventions regardless of the student's request

Texas Education Code Chapter 37 requires schools to investigate all reported bullying and take appropriate action; a student's request for inaction does not override this legal duty.

Question 8: A principal observes that teachers in the same department interpret 'mastery' of a TEKS differently, leading to inconsistent grading. What is the BEST systemic solution?

Facilitate collaborative development of common assessments and shared scoring rubrics (Correct answer)
Require teachers to submit lesson plans for principal approval weekly
Assign one teacher to grade all student work across sections
Mandate that all teachers use identical point values on assignments

Correct answer: Facilitate collaborative development of common assessments and shared scoring rubrics

Common assessments and shared rubrics calibrate teacher expectations around mastery, ensuring consistent standards across sections.

Question 9: Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which of the following is NOT considered an education record?

A student's cumulative academic transcript
A teacher's personal notes kept solely for their own use (Correct answer)
Disciplinary records maintained by the school
Health records maintained by the school nurse

Correct answer: A teacher's personal notes kept solely for their own use

FERPA excludes sole-possession records (personal notes not shared with others) from the definition of education records.

Question 10: A parent asks why the school uses project-based learning instead of traditional direct instruction. The principal's best response citing motivation research is:

Project-based learning is required by the state curriculum framework
Direct instruction has been shown to be ineffective for diverse learners
PBL increases engagement by connecting learning to authentic, meaningful problems students care about (Correct answer)
PBL reduces teacher workload, allowing more time for individual support

Correct answer: PBL increases engagement by connecting learning to authentic, meaningful problems students care about

Research consistently shows that authentic, problem-centered tasks increase student motivation by making learning feel relevant and purposeful.

Question 11: The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaced No Child Left Behind and shifted significant authority over education policy to:

The National Governors Association
The U.S. Department of Education
Individual school principals
State governments and local education agencies (Correct answer)

Correct answer: State governments and local education agencies

ESSA deliberately returned more control over accountability, standards, and assessments to states and local education agencies.

Question 12: Why is professional development important for school staff?

To eliminate teacher collaboration
To reduce teacher autonomy
To add more administrative tasks for teachers
To enhance instructional skills and student outcomes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To enhance instructional skills and student outcomes

Ongoing professional development provides educators with new strategies, skills, and knowledge to improve instruction and student outcomes.

Question 13: Which principle should guide a principal when deciding how to prioritize TEKS standards within a limited instructional calendar?

Focus only on standards that appeared on the previous year's STAAR exam
Teach standards alphabetically to ensure systematic coverage
Cover all standards equally regardless of weight or complexity
Prioritize readiness standards that are foundational for future learning and heavily tested (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Prioritize readiness standards that are foundational for future learning and heavily tested

Readiness standards are identified by TEA as critical foundations for future success and are emphasized on STAAR, making them the appropriate priority.

Question 14: A principal is evaluating teacher performance under the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS). Which is NOT a domain in the T-TESS rubric?

Community Engagement (Correct answer)
Learning Environment
Planning
Instruction

Correct answer: Community Engagement

T-TESS uses four domains: Planning, Instruction, Learning Environment, and Professional Practices & Responsibilities — Community Engagement is not a separate T-TESS domain.

Question 15: Which of the following best describes the doctrine of 'in loco parentis' as it applies to Texas public school principals?

Principals must notify parents before making any instructional decisions
Principals must defer all disciplinary decisions to parents
Parents may attend any school meeting and override principal decisions
Principals have the legal authority to act in place of parents while students are under school supervision (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Principals have the legal authority to act in place of parents while students are under school supervision

In loco parentis grants school officials authority to act in the place of parents for students under their supervision, including in matters of discipline and safety.

Question 16: Which principle underpins Total Quality Management (TQM) in Texas Education Agency Principal Certification?

Minimize customer feedback
Everyone in the organization is responsible for quality (Correct answer)
Quality is only the QA department's job
Top-down control only

Correct answer: Everyone in the organization is responsible for quality

TQM is based on the principle that quality is everyone's responsibility, from leadership to front-line workers.

Question 17: When communicating with English Language Learner (ELL) families, what is the most important accommodation a principal should make?

Use technical education jargon to appear professional
Limit communication to written notices only
Require parents to arrange their own translation services
Provide translated materials and interpreters when needed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Provide translated materials and interpreters when needed

Providing translated materials and interpreters ensures equitable access to information and fulfills the school's legal and ethical obligation to communicate with all families.

Question 18: Under Texas Education Code, which category of students may be placed in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) for safety-related conduct?

Students who commit conduct punishable as a felony or involving certain weapons, drugs, or assault (Correct answer)
Any student who repeatedly violates the student code of conduct
Only students who bring weapons to school
Students who are habitually truant for more than five days

Correct answer: Students who commit conduct punishable as a felony or involving certain weapons, drugs, or assault

Texas law specifies that students committing felonies or serious offenses involving weapons, drugs, or assault may be removed to a DAEP, reflecting the seriousness of these safety threats.

Question 19: What is a fundamental principle of Differentiated Instruction in Texas Education Agency Principal Certification practice?

Using outdated methods
Working in isolation without guidance
Ignoring industry guidelines
Following established standards and best practices (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Following established standards and best practices

Following established standards and best practices ensures quality and consistency in Differentiated Instruction.

Question 20: A teacher rewards students with pizza parties when the entire class passes a test. According to motivation research, the likely long-term effect of this practice is:

Greater intrinsic motivation as students connect effort to reward
Increased test anxiety for lower-performing students who fear letting peers down (Correct answer)
Improved peer collaboration due to shared goals
Sustained improvement in academic motivation across all students

Correct answer: Increased test anxiety for lower-performing students who fear letting peers down

Whole-class contingency rewards can create peer pressure and heighten anxiety for struggling students, undermining both motivation and safety.

Question 21: A campus principal wants to ensure that all students have access to rigorous coursework. Which strategy MOST directly promotes curriculum equity?

Assigning the most experienced teachers only to honors classes
Removing tracking systems and providing accelerated content with appropriate supports to all students (Correct answer)
Eliminating elective courses to focus on core subjects
Offering advanced courses only to students who self-select

Correct answer: Removing tracking systems and providing accelerated content with appropriate supports to all students

Removing rigid tracking and providing necessary supports ensures all students have access to high-quality, rigorous curriculum regardless of background.

Question 22: A Texas principal receives a campus STAAR report showing strong aggregate scores but a persistent performance gap for African American students. The principal's ethical obligation under the Closing the Gaps domain requires:

Attributing the gap solely to external socioeconomic factors
Waiting to see if the gap closes naturally over the next two years
Setting specific, measurable targets to eliminate the achievement gap for that subgroup (Correct answer)
Reporting only the aggregate score in the campus improvement plan

Correct answer: Setting specific, measurable targets to eliminate the achievement gap for that subgroup

Equity-centered leadership requires principals to set explicit goals and implement targeted strategies to close documented achievement gaps for specific student subgroups.

Question 23: A principal wants to build a culture of instructional improvement. Which leadership behavior is MOST important?

Modeling a growth mindset by engaging in reflective conversations about instruction with teachers (Correct answer)
Delegating all instructional feedback to assistant principals
Conducting surprise classroom observations to catch teachers off guard
Focusing praise only on teachers who meet all performance metrics

Correct answer: Modeling a growth mindset by engaging in reflective conversations about instruction with teachers

Modeling a growth mindset and engaging in reflective instructional conversations builds psychological safety and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.

Question 24: What is a stakeholder analysis in Texas Education Agency Principal Certification planning?

A financial audit
Identifying and assessing the interests and influence of affected parties (Correct answer)
A staff satisfaction survey
A competitive market review

Correct answer: Identifying and assessing the interests and influence of affected parties

Stakeholder analysis identifies all parties affected by or having influence over a project, helping manage expectations and engagement.

Question 25: A Texas principal receives a complaint from a parent alleging a teacher engaged in discriminatory grading. What is the principal's FIRST required action?

Conduct a preliminary inquiry and document all findings per campus policy (Correct answer)
Inform the school board before notifying the teacher
Refer the complaint directly to TEA without campus review
Immediately terminate the teacher pending investigation

Correct answer: Conduct a preliminary inquiry and document all findings per campus policy

Principals must first conduct a preliminary inquiry and document findings according to local campus and district policy before escalating.

Question 26: A teacher reports that a previously well-behaved student began acting out after a new sibling was born. Using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, how should the principal guide the teacher's response?

Refer the student to the disciplinary office for behavior management
Recognize the student may have unmet love/belonging needs and provide social-emotional support (Correct answer)
Increase academic rigor to redirect the student's energy
Implement a token economy system immediately

Correct answer: Recognize the student may have unmet love/belonging needs and provide social-emotional support

Maslow's theory suggests unmet belonging and love needs (disrupted by a new sibling) can undermine behavior; addressing emotional needs is the first priority.

Question 27: A principal notices that the campus technology budget is consumed by device replacement but professional development receives minimal funding. What does research suggest about this allocation?

Professional development for technology is best handled at the district level, not campus level
Without investment in teacher professional development, technology purchases yield minimal instructional improvement (Correct answer)
Devices are the primary driver of student achievement gains
Device replacement cycles are mandated by TEA and cannot be altered

Correct answer: Without investment in teacher professional development, technology purchases yield minimal instructional improvement

Research consistently shows that teacher professional development, not devices alone, determines whether technology improves student outcomes.

Question 28: Which type of curriculum refers to what is actually taught in classrooms as opposed to what is officially written in district documents?

Written curriculum
Null curriculum
Taught curriculum (Correct answer)
Hidden curriculum

Correct answer: Taught curriculum

The taught curriculum is the content and skills teachers actually deliver in classrooms, which may differ from the written or intended curriculum.

Question 29: Under Texas law, which is a mandatory expulsion offense requiring the principal to recommend expulsion?

Refusal to participate in a state assessment
Chronic tardiness exceeding 10 incidents
Repeated use of profane language directed at a teacher
Possession of a firearm on school property (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Possession of a firearm on school property

Texas Education Code mandates expulsion for students who possess a firearm on school property, with no administrative discretion to reduce the consequence.

Question 30: A principal receives a request from parents to conduct a Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE) for their child. Under IDEA, what is the maximum number of school days the district has to complete the evaluation after receiving written parental consent?

30 calendar days
45 school days (Correct answer)
90 school days
60 calendar days

Correct answer: 45 school days

Under Texas Education Code aligned with IDEA, districts must complete a Full and Individual Evaluation within 45 school days of receiving written parental consent.

Question 31: Which leadership behavior most directly models the engagement the principal wants to see from students?

Regularly visiting classrooms and showing visible interest in student work (Correct answer)
Reviewing discipline data weekly and sharing findings with staff
Publishing monthly newsletters to families about campus initiatives
Ensuring teachers complete required professional development hours

Correct answer: Regularly visiting classrooms and showing visible interest in student work

Principals who visibly engage with learning in classrooms model curiosity and interest, signaling to students that their work is valued at the highest level of campus leadership.

Question 32: During a walkthrough, a principal observes a teacher using only lecture-based instruction with minimal student interaction. What is the most growth-oriented response?

Send a written directive listing required instructional strategies to implement
Document the observation formally for the personnel file immediately
Share the observation informally with other teachers as a cautionary example
Schedule a reflective conversation focusing on student engagement data and co-explore instructional alternatives (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Schedule a reflective conversation focusing on student engagement data and co-explore instructional alternatives

A reflective post-observation conversation that examines student engagement data and explores alternatives builds teacher capacity without being punitive or prescriptive.

Question 33: A principal observes that boys in grades 6-8 show declining engagement compared to girls. Research-based strategies to address this gap include:

Assigning boys to more structured, teacher-directed lessons
Separating classes by gender to reduce social distractions
Reducing elective options to keep boys focused on core academics
Increasing kinesthetic, project-based, and competitive learning structures (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Increasing kinesthetic, project-based, and competitive learning structures

Research indicates that active, project-based, and collaborative or competitive learning structures tend to increase engagement among middle school boys.

Question 34: What is the primary purpose of a campus instructional leadership team (ILT)?

To manage the master schedule on behalf of the principal
To conduct formal teacher evaluations in place of the principal
To handle disciplinary actions for students who disrupt instruction
To distribute instructional leadership by involving teacher leaders in campus-wide curriculum and instruction decisions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To distribute instructional leadership by involving teacher leaders in campus-wide curriculum and instruction decisions

An ILT distributes instructional leadership, increasing collective capacity and buy-in for curriculum and instruction improvement.

Question 35: What is a key responsibility of school administrators in managing school resources?

Allocating resources to support student learning and teacher development (Correct answer)
Spending all funds at the beginning of the year
Eliminating professional development opportunities
Restricting budget discussions to select staff

Correct answer: Allocating resources to support student learning and teacher development

Effective school administrators allocate resources strategically to support student learning, teacher development, and school improvement initiatives.

Question 36: A bilingual education program at a Texas campus is found to lack qualified bilingual-certified teachers. Who bears primary responsibility for correcting this compliance gap?

The classroom teachers who lack certification
The regional ESC without campus involvement
The campus principal in coordination with the district (Correct answer)
TEA directly, as it appoints certified staff

Correct answer: The campus principal in coordination with the district

The principal, working with district leadership, is primarily responsible for ensuring program compliance including securing properly certified staff for bilingual programs.

Question 37: Which skill is most important for success in Special Needs & Inclusive Education within Texas Education Agency Principal Certification?

Avoiding feedback
Resisting change
Continuous learning and adaptation (Correct answer)
Working without any training

Correct answer: Continuous learning and adaptation

Continuous learning ensures professionals stay current with evolving practices in Special Needs & Inclusive Education.

Question 38: When a principal activates a 'lockout' procedure, what does this typically require?

Students move to interior rooms away from windows
Students shelter under desks and away from windows
All students are evacuated to a predetermined outdoor location
External doors are secured while normal activities continue inside (Correct answer)

Correct answer: External doors are secured while normal activities continue inside

A lockout secures the building's perimeter by locking all external doors while allowing normal school activities to continue inside, addressing a threat outside the campus.

Question 39: A principal discovers that a student brought a firearm to campus. Under Texas Education Code §37.007, what is the mandatory consequence?

Suspension for 10 days with parent conference
Transfer to an alternative education program for 30 days
Expulsion and referral to a disciplinary alternative education program for at least one year (Correct answer)
Probationary period with mandatory counseling

Correct answer: Expulsion and referral to a disciplinary alternative education program for at least one year

Under TEC §37.007, students who bring firearms to school must be expelled and placed in a disciplinary alternative education program for at least one year, consistent with the federal Gun-Free Schools Act.

Question 40: A new principal observes that staff morale is low after a difficult year. Which leadership action best addresses both staff well-being and professional growth simultaneously?

Reduce all non-instructional duties to give teachers more free time
Implement a formal reward system based solely on student test scores
Conduct structured listening sessions and co-create a staff wellness and development plan (Correct answer)
Increase staff meeting frequency to address concerns

Correct answer: Conduct structured listening sessions and co-create a staff wellness and development plan

Structured listening followed by co-created plans addresses staff agency, builds trust, and aligns wellness with professional growth priorities.

Question 41: A principal receives a written request from a parent to inspect their child's education records. Under FERPA, within how many days must the school provide access?

45 days
30 days (Correct answer)
5 days
15 days

Correct answer: 30 days

FERPA requires schools to provide parents access to education records within 45 days of a written request.

Question 42: In Texas Education Agency Principal Certification, what is the purpose of an audit trail?

To record and track all changes and access to data (Correct answer)
To track employee attendance
To count user logins
To measure system speed

Correct answer: To record and track all changes and access to data

An audit trail provides a chronological record of all system activities, showing who accessed or changed data and when.

Question 43: When disaggregating STAAR data to fulfill the requirements of the Closing the Gaps domain, which student group must campuses report separately under Texas accountability?

Only students who received Tier 2 interventions
Special education students, economically disadvantaged students, and ELs among others (Correct answer)
Only students enrolled for fewer than 140 days
Students who scored at Masters Grade Level only

Correct answer: Special education students, economically disadvantaged students, and ELs among others

The Closing the Gaps domain requires disaggregated reporting for student groups including special education, economically disadvantaged, ELs, and racial/ethnic subgroups.

Question 44: A campus has a high percentage of students who are food insecure. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, what must the principal address first to support student engagement?

Physiological needs by connecting students to meal and nutrition programs (Correct answer)
Cognitive needs by providing enrichment and acceleration programs
Self-actualization needs by expanding extracurricular offerings
Esteem needs by recognizing student achievements publicly

Correct answer: Physiological needs by connecting students to meal and nutrition programs

Maslow's Hierarchy establishes that physiological needs — food, shelter, safety — must be met before higher-order learning and engagement are possible.

Question 45: A campus improvement plan goal is written as: 'Increase the percentage of Grade 5 students scoring at Masters Grade Level on STAAR Math from 22% to 30% by May 2027.' This goal meets SMART criteria primarily because it is:

Aligned to the national Common Core standards
Aspirational and motivational for all stakeholders
Based on survey feedback from Grade 5 teachers
Specific, measurable, and time-bound with a clear baseline and target (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Specific, measurable, and time-bound with a clear baseline and target

The goal specifies the grade, subject, performance level, a quantified baseline (22%), a quantified target (30%), and a deadline (May 2027), satisfying the SMART framework.

Question 46: A campus improvement plan goal states: 'Increase the percentage of economically disadvantaged students scoring at Approaches Grade Level or above on STAAR Math from 58% to 70% by spring.' This goal is BEST described as:

Vague and non-measurable
SMART — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (Correct answer)
Too ambitious to include in a campus improvement plan
Non-compliant because it targets a specific subgroup

Correct answer: SMART — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound

The goal specifies a subgroup, a measurable metric with baseline and target, and a timeframe — meeting all criteria of a SMART goal.

Question 47: What is the purpose of a feasibility study in Texas Education Agency Principal Certification project planning?

To start the project immediately
To assign team roles
To create a marketing plan
To determine if a project is viable and worth pursuing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To determine if a project is viable and worth pursuing

A feasibility study evaluates whether a project is technically, financially, and operationally viable before committing resources.

Question 48: A principal is evaluating the effectiveness of a Tier 2 intervention program. Which evidence is MOST meaningful?

Teacher satisfaction surveys about the program's ease of use
The number of students enrolled in the intervention program
Progress monitoring data showing student growth compared to peers and against individual learning goals (Correct answer)
The program's national award recognition and marketing materials

Correct answer: Progress monitoring data showing student growth compared to peers and against individual learning goals

Progress monitoring data showing actual student growth relative to goals and peers is the most direct evidence of an intervention program's effectiveness.

Question 49: A teacher administers a five-question exit ticket at the end of each lesson and adjusts the next day's instruction based on results. This is an example of:

Formative assessment informing instructional decisions (Correct answer)
Benchmark assessment predicting STAAR performance
Diagnostic assessment identifying learning disabilities
Summative assessment driving curriculum mapping

Correct answer: Formative assessment informing instructional decisions

Brief checks for understanding used to adjust upcoming instruction are classic formative assessments embedded in the instructional cycle.

Question 50: A student with a learning disability receives extended time on tests as an IEP accommodation. A teacher refuses to provide this accommodation, citing fairness to other students. How should the principal respond?

Support the teacher's decision since classroom management is within their discretion.
Convene an ARD to remove the accommodation since it is creating classroom conflict.
Immediately require the teacher to implement the accommodation and provide professional development on legal obligations. (Correct answer)
Document the teacher's concern and address it at the next IEP annual review.

Correct answer: Immediately require the teacher to implement the accommodation and provide professional development on legal obligations.

IEP accommodations are legally binding; the principal must ensure immediate compliance and address the teacher's misconceptions about disability law.

Question 51: Under Goss v. Lopez, before suspending a student for 10 days or fewer, a school must provide:

Notice of the charges and an opportunity to respond (Correct answer)
Written notification to law enforcement
A psychological evaluation of the student
A formal hearing before the school board

Correct answer: Notice of the charges and an opportunity to respond

Goss v. Lopez held that students facing short-term suspension have due process rights, requiring at minimum oral or written notice and a chance to tell their side.

Question 52: A principal learns that a staff member may be in a domestic violence situation that could potentially affect campus safety. The MOST appropriate administrative action is to:

Place the staff member on administrative leave to eliminate the potential risk
Treat it as a private matter and take no administrative action
Immediately contact law enforcement without involving the staff member
Develop a confidential safety plan with the staff member and notify security personnel as appropriate (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Develop a confidential safety plan with the staff member and notify security personnel as appropriate

Developing a confidential safety plan with the affected staff member while appropriately notifying security personnel balances campus safety with sensitivity and the staff member's dignity.

Question 53: A principal notices that teachers in the same grade level are using widely different instructional pacing. What is the BEST first step to address this?

Evaluate and discipline teachers who are behind schedule
Facilitate collaborative planning to develop a shared curriculum pacing guide (Correct answer)
Mandate that all teachers follow a single identical lesson plan
Allow teachers complete autonomy since professional judgment varies

Correct answer: Facilitate collaborative planning to develop a shared curriculum pacing guide

Collaborative planning to create a shared pacing guide ensures curricular coherence while respecting teacher input.

Question 54: Which of the following campus conditions most strongly predicts student engagement according to research on school connectedness?

High student-to-teacher ratios in elective courses
Frequent use of standardized assessments to track progress
Students having at least one caring adult relationship at school (Correct answer)
Access to the latest educational technology

Correct answer: Students having at least one caring adult relationship at school

Research consistently shows that having at least one trusting adult relationship at school is the most powerful predictor of student engagement and connectedness.

Question 55: The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) used in Texas schools identifies which set of primary response actions?

Evacuate, Shelter, Reunite, Account
Run, Hide, Fight
Lockdown, Lockout, Evacuate, Shelter, Hold (Correct answer)
Secure, Contain, Evacuate, Notify

Correct answer: Lockdown, Lockout, Evacuate, Shelter, Hold

The Standard Response Protocol used in Texas schools includes five distinct actions: Lockdown, Lockout, Evacuate, Shelter, and Hold, each addressing different emergency scenarios.

Question 56: A campus improvement team wants to use leading indicators rather than lagging indicators to monitor student progress throughout the year. Which measure is a leading indicator?

Annual dropout rate
End-of-year STAAR scores
Six-week benchmark assessment results (Correct answer)
Graduation rates from the prior cohort

Correct answer: Six-week benchmark assessment results

Benchmark assessments administered during the school year are leading indicators because they provide actionable data before high-stakes outcomes are determined.

Question 57: A principal wants to use campus Title I funds for a parent engagement event. Which condition must be met?

The event must generate revenue to offset costs
Title I funds cannot be used for any parent events
The event must directly support the goals in the campus Title I parent and family engagement plan (Correct answer)
All parents must attend or funds are forfeited

Correct answer: The event must directly support the goals in the campus Title I parent and family engagement plan

Title I parent engagement expenditures must be tied to activities that support goals outlined in the campus's required parent and family engagement plan.

Question 58: A campus experiences a sudden increase in student fights. Which approach BEST reflects a restorative justice framework as an alternative to punitive discipline?

Implement student-led conflict resolution circles that address harm and rebuild relationships (Correct answer)
Increase the use of suspensions to remove disruptive students quickly
Issue mandatory Saturday detentions for all involved students
Install additional security cameras and hire more guards

Correct answer: Implement student-led conflict resolution circles that address harm and rebuild relationships

Restorative justice prioritizes structured dialogue, such as conflict resolution circles, to address harm and rebuild relationships rather than simply removing students.

Question 59: Which of the following is a characteristic of a 'respectful task' in differentiated instruction?

It is completed independently without any teacher support
It requires the same level of effort and complexity from every student
It focuses exclusively on skills the student has already mastered
It is equally engaging and meaningful regardless of the student's readiness level (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It is equally engaging and meaningful regardless of the student's readiness level

Respectful tasks in DI are meaningful, appropriately challenging, and dignified for all students, not trivial or demeaning at any level.

Question 60: A principal is designing professional development around culturally responsive teaching. Which approach most effectively builds genuine cultural responsiveness among staff?

Distributing a list of cultural dos and don'ts for each represented ethnic group
A single one-day diversity training workshop held once per year
Requiring teachers to attend a single session on implicit bias and consider the topic resolved
Ongoing inquiry into student cultural assets, family engagement, and reflective practice embedded in PLCs (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Ongoing inquiry into student cultural assets, family engagement, and reflective practice embedded in PLCs

Genuine cultural responsiveness develops through ongoing inquiry, relationship-building with students and families, and sustained reflective practice rather than one-time training events.

Question 61: Which scenario BEST demonstrates a principal effectively connecting curriculum management to school improvement goals?

Writing ambitious school improvement goals and submitting them to the district on time
Asking teachers to set personal improvement goals unconnected to campus data
Setting a school improvement goal for reading, then selecting a research-based reading curriculum, training staff, monitoring implementation, and tracking student reading growth data (Correct answer)
Purchasing new classroom technology to signal commitment to school improvement

Correct answer: Setting a school improvement goal for reading, then selecting a research-based reading curriculum, training staff, monitoring implementation, and tracking student reading growth data

Aligning curriculum selection, staff training, implementation monitoring, and student data tracking to a specific improvement goal demonstrates integrated instructional leadership.

Question 62: A principal implements 'student voice' panels where students present campus improvement ideas to staff. This practice primarily supports engagement by:

Replacing adult decision-making with student governance
Building students' sense of agency and belonging in the school community (Correct answer)
Satisfying state requirements for student advisory councils
Reducing teacher resistance to campus change initiatives

Correct answer: Building students' sense of agency and belonging in the school community

Student voice panels increase engagement by affirming that students' perspectives matter, strengthening their sense of ownership and belonging.

Question 63: In a differentiated instruction framework, 'anchor activities' serve what purpose?

They replace the main lesson for advanced students
They are used only during testing periods
They are whole-class activities that begin every lesson
They provide meaningful, independent tasks for students who finish early so the teacher can work with small groups (Correct answer)

Correct answer: They provide meaningful, independent tasks for students who finish early so the teacher can work with small groups

Anchor activities keep all students productively engaged so the teacher can pull small groups without interruption.

Question 64: A campus leader wants to reduce the achievement gap using differentiated instruction. What is the MOST critical first step?

Purchase new curriculum materials for advanced students
Schedule additional tutoring sessions after school
Reduce class sizes across all grade levels
Conduct a thorough analysis of disaggregated student performance data (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Conduct a thorough analysis of disaggregated student performance data

Disaggregated data reveals which student subgroups need targeted differentiation and informs strategic resource allocation.

Question 65: During a campus crisis, a principal's primary communication responsibility is to:

Restrict all information until a full investigation is complete
Delegate all communication responsibilities to central office
Maintain consistent, accurate, and timely messaging to all stakeholders (Correct answer)
Allow the media to gather information independently

Correct answer: Maintain consistent, accurate, and timely messaging to all stakeholders

During a crisis, principals must provide consistent, accurate, and timely information to prevent rumors, ensure safety, and maintain community trust.

Question 66: Texas Education Code §37.0012 designates one person on each campus as a 'campus behavior coordinator.' What is the primary responsibility of this role?

Implementing gifted and talented programming
Managing the campus RTI/MTSS process
Coordinating all Section 504 accommodations
Administering and overseeing student discipline (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Administering and overseeing student discipline

The campus behavior coordinator is primarily responsible for implementing the student code of conduct and administering student discipline.

Question 67: A campus accountability rating drops to 'Needs Improvement' under the Texas accountability system. What is the principal's immediate statutory obligation?

Request annexation to a neighboring district
Notify parents and develop a targeted improvement plan in coordination with the district (Correct answer)
Resign from the position within 30 days
Transfer all staff to other campuses

Correct answer: Notify parents and develop a targeted improvement plan in coordination with the district

Texas law requires principals to notify parents/guardians and work with the district to create a targeted improvement plan when a campus receives a low accountability rating.

Question 68: What is the role of documentation in Special Needs & Inclusive Education for Texas Education Agency Principal Certification?

It is only for management review
It provides an accurate record for accountability and reference (Correct answer)
It should only be done monthly
It is unnecessary paperwork

Correct answer: It provides an accurate record for accountability and reference

Proper documentation in Special Needs & Inclusive Education ensures accountability, traceability, and serves as a reference for future decisions.

Question 69: Which concept from Attribution Theory is MOST relevant when a principal coaches a teacher whose students attribute failures to lack of ability rather than effort?

Learned helplessness (Correct answer)
Reciprocal determinism
Negative reinforcement
Extinction burst

Correct answer: Learned helplessness

When students consistently attribute failure to fixed ability, they develop learned helplessness, losing motivation to try.

Question 70: Under ESSA, schools are required to report on indicators beyond test scores. Which ESSA-aligned indicator most directly captures student engagement?

Student-to-counselor ratio
Average teacher retention rate
Percentage of students scoring at grade level on state assessments
Chronic absenteeism rate (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Chronic absenteeism rate

ESSA requires states to include chronic absenteeism as a school quality indicator, directly capturing whether students are consistently present and engaged.

TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268)

The TExES 268 exam certifies Texas school principals by assessing knowledge and skills across six domains including school culture, instructional leadership, human capital management, and ethical decision-making required for campus leadership roles.

Questions

285 min

Time Limit

80%

To Pass

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