Questar Test QUESTAR Evaluation Content and Structure 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When scoring Questar observations, which descriptor best captures a 'Distinguished' level of performance?
- The teacher meets minimum standards for the component
- The teacher's practice is inconsistent but shows potential
- Students take ownership of their learning and the teacher facilitates seamlessly (Correct answer)
- The teacher follows the prescribed lesson plan without deviation
Correct answer: Students take ownership of their learning and the teacher facilitates seamlessly
Distinguished performance is characterized by students taking intellectual initiative and the teacher operating as a facilitator rather than director.
Question 2: A teacher's Questar composite score of 75–90 points typically corresponds to which overall rating?
- Highly Effective
- Effective (Correct answer)
- Developing
- Ineffective
Correct answer: Effective
In the NYS APPR point scale, scores of 75–90 generally fall in the 'Effective' range.
Question 3: Which Questar component specifically evaluates how well a teacher uses informal assessment data during instruction to adjust teaching?
- 1f: Designing Student Assessments
- 3d: Using Assessment in Instruction (Correct answer)
- 4a: Reflecting on Teaching
- 2e: Organizing Physical Space
Correct answer: 3d: Using Assessment in Instruction
Component 3d focuses on formative assessment use during lessons to monitor and respond to student understanding.
Question 4: In the Questar framework, 'knowledge of resources' is assessed primarily in which domain?
- Domain 2
- Domain 3
- Domain 1 (Correct answer)
- Domain 4
Correct answer: Domain 1
Domain 1 (Planning and Preparation) includes component 1d, which evaluates a teacher's knowledge and use of instructional resources.
Question 5: A Questar evaluator observes that a teacher's questions are primarily recall-level with no follow-up probing. Which component would most likely receive a lower score?
- 3b: Using Questioning and Discussion Techniques (Correct answer)
- 3a: Communicating with Students
- 2b: Establishing a Culture for Learning
- 1c: Setting Instructional Outcomes
Correct answer: 3b: Using Questioning and Discussion Techniques
Component 3b evaluates the quality of questions and the degree to which discussion techniques promote higher-order thinking.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT typically included in a teacher's pre-observation conference for Questar?
- Learning objectives for the lesson
- Student background knowledge and prior performance
- Personal salary negotiation points (Correct answer)
- Planned instructional strategies
Correct answer: Personal salary negotiation points
Pre-observation conferences focus on lesson context, goals, and strategies — salary matters are handled through separate HR processes.
Question 7: Under Questar APPR, which measure comprises the 'locally selected measures' (LSM) portion of a teacher's student performance score?
- State standardized test scores only
- District-chosen assessments such as pre/post tests or SLOs (Correct answer)
- Teacher-designed final exams
- Attendance and behavioral data
Correct answer: District-chosen assessments such as pre/post tests or SLOs
Locally Selected Measures are district-determined assessments, often Student Learning Objectives (SLOs), that capture growth in subjects without state tests.
Questar Test QUESTAR Evaluation Content and Structure 3
When scoring Questar observations, which descriptor best captures a 'Distinguished' level of performance?