064 TExES Superintendent Exam Practice Questions
1. Which concepts best promote a fair and ethical learning environment?
A. Recognizing diversity and developing programs to help students understand diversity
B. Ignoring diversity
C. Using community resources
D. All of the above
2. Which actions help develop, implement and maintain district culture?
A. Research into current trends
B. Establishing written expectations
C. District culture does not need to be developed
D. All of the above
3. Credible community resources include:
A. Corporate mentoring programs
B. Community organizations offering counseling and emergency assistance
C. Food banks, job centers, police and fire departments
D. All of the above
4. Why is effective communication with the community important?
A. Everyone is impacted by the same social and economic influences
B. Education does not need the support of local business
C. Diversity affects the community
D. All of the above
5. Recognizing the importance of diversity in education produces what results?
A. Students from certain cultures are incapable of learning
B. Enables students to function in a complex society
C. Higher grades
D. All of the above
6. Some components of a well-planned budget are:
A. Personnel
B. Operating
C. Capital
D. All of the above
7. Environmental issues that could affect a school district include:
A. Condition of buildings
B. School districts are not affected by environmental issues
C. Endangered species of animals
D. All of the above
8. Who should be involved in strategic planning for the district?
A. Students
B. School board, teachers, and parents
C. Community leaders
D. All of the above
9. Elements that should not be considered when planning the curriculum include:
A. Does it include the fundamentals?
B. Does the subject matter progress logically?
C. Does it recognize and respect the diversity of the community?
D. Student preferences
10. Which step does not belong in an effective decision-making process?
A. Define the problem
B. Demand compliance without sufficient explanation
C. List options
D. Develop possible solutions
ANSWER KEY EXAM 064
1. Answer: A
Educational psychology is the study of how knowledge is obtained, how knowledge is imparted and the effects of social interactions in an instructional environment. Recognizing diversity exists, designing curricula and developing programs that address issues that arise because of that diversity should be a major goal of every educator. Policies and practices must be based on the principle that no matter what the child's pre-school experiences, every student has inherent strengths that can and should be used to help him/her succeed. When the curriculum reflects student diversity, all children benefit.
2. Answer: B
To a large extent, a school district's culture is based on the population served. Involving parents, asking for their cooperation and keeping them informed is vital. Implementing and encouraging teacher enrichment programs and developing a fair assessment system is essential. Most districts are very diverse. Therefore, the culture needs to be sensitive to and respect each group represented. The district should establish criteria that praises when earned, encourages when needed and disciplines when necessary. It is important to establish written expectations and to review them with teachers, support staff, parents, students and the community at large.
3. Answer: D
It is important for the superintendent to have a clear understanding of what private, public and government resources are available in the community in which the district operates. He/she should have a good working relationship with key representatives of those resources that often play a vital role in the lives of students and their families. He/she also needs to know how effective the programs and services are and each one's unique strengths and weaknesses, as well as any holes, barriers and issues that might impede their ability to help when called upon. The superintendent needs to know when to call, whom to call, what criteria is needed to qualify and how quickly to expect a response.
4. Answer: A
The school district does not exist in a vacuum. It is a vital part of the community in which it operates and is subject to the same social and economic influences as its neighbors. Schools are not isolated islands of learning; they are an integral part of the community. As such, they can have a critical role in shaping the attitudes of neighbors and be a force in creating a positive atmosphere for everyone. Studies have shown and anecdotal evidence proves that when the school district is successful communicating its goals and is seen actively addressing its problems, there is greater support from business and community leaders and parents are more involved. But the most important result of good community relations is a better education for all students and more opportunities for them to succeed in the real world.
5. Answer: B
It is imperative that educators develop programs and curricula that emphasize all children are capable of learning and meeting high academic standards. It is the responsibility of educators to provide the tools and environment for students to achieve. Anything less is unacceptable. When students are taught with a curriculum that embraces diversity, it enables them to function more effectively in a complex, multicultural society. Students need to understand the historical experiences of every cultural group in their society in order to appreciate how past actions affect present circumstances. An empowering educational culture that embraces multicultural diversity integrates information about the impact of all cultures and enhances students' ability to understand, appreciate and get along with different racial, ethnic and gender groups. Mary Stone Hanley believes that "Multicultural education is about social change through education."
6. Answer: D
A personnel budget is based on the number of teachers and support staff. Generally, personnel costs are sixty to seventy percent of a budget, so the number of people must be accurate and all associated costs included. An operating budget includes all the costs associated with running the district (utilities, maintenance, insurance, etc.). Some are fixed, some vary from month to month, but all must be budgeted. A capital budget allocates funds for large ticket items such as new buildings or additions to existing structures, fences, vehicles, etc. Many items considered capital expenses are depreciated on some sort of schedule. In the final analysis, budgets are really educated guesses based on historical costs and anticipated expenses. It is impossible to predict the future with any certainty. Large, unanticipated expenditures cause strains in the best planned budget.
7. Answer: A
Health, safety and educational issues directly affect the students' ability to learn, teachers ability to instruct and support staff to complete their tasks. They include but are not limited to: The condition of the buildings (presence of mold, asbestos, lead paint, etc.); air and water quality; menus designed to provide nutritious choices the children will actually eat; and physical education and athletic programs that promote strong, healthy bodies. All these elements need to be addressed, monitored and maintained. Economic issues (unemployment, recession, etc.) can have a profound effect on tax revenue which funds public schools; which in turn directly affect the ability to run the district efficiently and provide the mandated educational opportunities for all students.
8. Answer: B
Strategic planning is the process of defining the district's purpose, outlining its goals and deciding how to best use its human and monetary resources effectively. The process should involve representatives from key areas; the school board, teachers, staff, parents and the community. When interested stakeholders are an integral part of the process, the results are accepted quicker, implemented faster and achieved easier. The end result is a living document that will be modified as conditions evolve; but will have short-term, medium-term and long-term objectives with a well-defined path to reach each of them.
9. Answer: D
In primary and secondary schools, the curriculum is the blueprint for teaching the fundamentals required to gain useful knowledge so students can function in the world. The curriculum outlines what is to be taught, in what order and how and when students' comprehension of the subject is to be assessed. Core subjects are mandated by the State Board of Education, which also requires a certain level of proficiency in each before the student can be promoted to the next level. Information needs to be presented in a logical, progressive format. Students must be able to understand, integrate and apply knowledge gained into practical applications in their every day lives. A curriculum must meet state requirements, prepare students for mandatory statewide tests and address the social and psychological needs of its students, while recognizing and respecting the diversity of its population. A curriculum is a complex program to plan, implement and assess.
10. Answer: B
A leader must choose issues carefully, set attainable objectives, develop workable solutions and enlist the support of those involved in and affected by the change. Whatever decision-making process is used, an effective leader always considers the reason for the change, how people will be affected and the probable consequences of the action. A sound, logical, well-defined decision-making process leads to effective problem solving. Following are suggested steps to finding a sensible solution to most any problem:
- Define the problem
- Gather relevant facts
- List options
- Develop solutions and consider the pros and cons of each
- Select the most viable solution(s)
- Explain the choice(s) to those affected
- Implement
- Follow-up to determine effectiveness
- Make adjustments if necessary
Last Updated: 02/21/2013