SLLA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield SLLA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which type of school fund is used to cover day-to-day operational expenses such as salaries and utilities? → General fund
2. What does 'carryover' mean in school budgeting? → Transferring unspent funds from one fiscal year to the next
3. Which federal law primarily governs the allocation of federal education funds to states under the Every Student Succeeds Act? → Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
4. Choose the correct answer → Does this strategy reach the parents who would most benefit?
5. In school finance, what does the term 'encumbrance' refer to? → Funds reserved for anticipated future expenditures
6. A principal wants to ensure curriculum alignment across grade levels. Which process is MOST effective for achieving vertical alignment? → Facilitating cross-grade collaborative curriculum mapping tied to state standards
7. A school experiences a sudden increase in student absenteeism. What is the MOST appropriate leadership response? → Analyze attendance data by subgroup to identify patterns and underlying causes
8. Which principle in school finance requires that expenditures be supported by proper documentation and authorization? → Internal controls principle
9. Choose the correct answer → Reviewing the district policy with Ms. Jack and monitoring her compliance with it
10. Choose the correct answer → Interacting with staff in a consistently reliable manner over a period of time.
11. Federal IDEA funds are specifically designated for which purpose? → Special education services for students with disabilities
12. Choose the correct answer → maintains two-way communication and responds to needs expressed
13. Choose the correct answer → Tailored to the intended audience
14. Choose the correct answer → Contact health officials to analyze the stain.
15. Choose the correct answer → Embedding professional development on creating a shared vision for student success.
16. Choose the correct answer → Developing a volunteer program of office and classroom aides and tutors.
17. An administrator who pursues lifelong learning is an excellent illustration of the following: → Caroline: learns all the time and shares knowledge
18. Which approach BEST supports the social-emotional learning (SEL) needs of all students in a school? → Embedding SEL instruction into daily routines and across all content areas
19. A student discloses to a teacher that they are experiencing abuse at home. What is the principal's legal obligation? → Ensure a mandatory report is filed with child protective services immediately
20. Which budget approach allocates school resources proportionally based on the number of students enrolled? → Per-pupil allocation budgeting
21. What does the 'supplement, not supplant' provision in federal education law require? → Federal funds must add to, not replace, existing state and local funding
22. Which grant type gives school administrators the greatest flexibility in how allocated funds may be spent? → Block grants
23. Choose the correct answer → Consulting with Tad's guidance counselor on the change in behavior
24. A school's budget shows a 'structural deficit.' What does this indicate? → Recurring expenditures consistently exceed recurring revenues
25. When should employees and students be informed of processes and procedures? → On an ongoing basis
26. Which of the following is a key function of a school leader in managing the school's operational systems? → Developing and implementing procedures for the safety and security of students and staff.
27. What is indicated as a school-wide policy to deal with cyberbullying? → Meeting with cyberbully to explain the consequences of their actions
28. Failure to do schoolwork on time and with a passing grade is: → School Failure
29. What is the primary purpose of zero-based budgeting in schools? → To justify all expenditures from a zero base each budget cycle
30. Which of the following is true regarding the effectiveness of classroom management systems? → By making learning environments orderly, they enable student academic success.