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

Question 1: 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
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)
Wait until a parent formally files a complaint before taking action

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 2: A principal wants to improve the quality of a curriculum unit on persuasive writing. Which revision MOST increases cognitive rigor?

Requiring students to memorize persuasive writing vocabulary definitions
Extending the unit by two additional weeks
Replacing a five-paragraph essay prompt with a task requiring students to write a letter to a real audience arguing for a school policy change (Correct answer)
Adding more vocabulary flashcard activities

Correct answer: Replacing a five-paragraph essay prompt with a task requiring students to write a letter to a real audience arguing for a school policy change

Authentic, real-audience writing tasks increase cognitive rigor by requiring students to apply persuasive skills in a meaningful, purposeful context.

Question 3: A student consistently demonstrates mastery of grade-level TEKS content. What should the principal ensure teachers have in place for this student?

Exemption from classroom assessments since mastery is already demonstrated
Differentiated instruction including enrichment and extension opportunities aligned to advanced TEKS (Correct answer)
Assignment of peer tutoring duties so the student helps struggling classmates
Promotion to the next grade level immediately

Correct answer: Differentiated instruction including enrichment and extension opportunities aligned to advanced TEKS

Students who demonstrate mastery deserve enrichment and extension within or beyond grade-level TEKS to continue growing academically.

Question 4: Under Texas law, what is the role of the Local Education Agency (LEA) representative at an ARD committee meeting?

To be knowledgeable about the general curriculum and authorized to commit district resources. (Correct answer)
To represent the Texas Education Agency at campus-level IEP meetings.
To serve as a neutral mediator between parents and the school.
To document the meeting minutes and maintain confidentiality.

Correct answer: To be knowledgeable about the general curriculum and authorized to commit district resources.

The LEA representative must be knowledgeable about the general curriculum, available special education services, and must have the authority to commit the district's resources and ensure IEP implementation.

Question 5: A principal is evaluating a teacher whose students frequently report not understanding instructions. The root cause is most likely which communication issue?

The teacher gives too many examples during lessons
The teacher uses vocabulary and sentence complexity above students' comprehension level (Correct answer)
The teacher allows too many student questions during instruction
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 6: A teacher asks for guidance on managing a classroom with multiple differentiated groups working simultaneously. The BEST leadership response is to:

Advise the teacher to return to whole-group instruction to simplify management
Provide coaching on establishing routines, anchor activities, and independent work protocols (Correct answer)
Suggest the teacher reduce differentiation to one group per day only
Assign a paraprofessional to manage the groups permanently

Correct answer: Provide coaching on establishing routines, anchor activities, and independent work protocols

Effective classroom management for DI depends on clear routines, anchor activities, and student independence built through intentional protocols.

Question 7: Which of the following is an example of differentiating by CONTENT?

Providing texts at different reading levels on the same topic (Correct answer)
Allowing students to choose between writing a report or creating a poster
Letting students choose where in the classroom to work
Giving students different amounts of time to complete a task

Correct answer: Providing texts at different reading levels on the same topic

Content differentiation involves varying what students learn or the materials used, such as leveled texts on the same concept.

Question 8: In Texas Education Agency Principal Certification, what is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI)?

A financial penalty for poor performance
A mandatory training requirement
A compliance checklist
A measurable value that demonstrates effectiveness (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A measurable value that demonstrates effectiveness

KPIs are quantifiable measurements that demonstrate how effectively objectives are being achieved.

Question 9: A student's Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) concludes that the behavior WAS a manifestation of the student's disability. The school must:

Permanently move the student to an alternative setting
Proceed with long-term suspension as originally planned
Convene the ARD to change the student's disability classification
Return the student to their current placement and conduct an FBA if not already done (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Return the student to their current placement and conduct an FBA if not already done

When behavior is a manifestation of the disability, the school must return the student to the current placement and address behavior through the IEP, including an FBA.

Question 10: What is a principal’s role in ensuring school compliance with state regulations?

Focusing solely on discipline policies
Ignoring state regulations for flexibility
Delegating compliance responsibilities entirely to teachers
Implementing policies and adhering to state regulations (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Implementing policies and adhering to state regulations

Principals ensure compliance by implementing policies, following educational standards, and maintaining adherence to legal requirements set by the Texas Education Agency.

Question 11: A principal needs to fill a vacancy and wants to ensure equitable hiring practices. Which strategy is MOST aligned with Texas and federal non-discrimination requirements?

Hire only from within the campus to maintain culture
Screen applicants based on their graduation year to ensure recent training
Require all applicants to provide a photo during the initial screening
Use structured interviews with consistent, job-related questions for all candidates (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Use structured interviews with consistent, job-related questions for all candidates

Structured interviews with consistent, job-related questions reduce bias and align with Title VII and Texas non-discrimination hiring requirements.

Question 12: Research on student engagement identifies three key dimensions: behavioral, emotional, and cognitive. A principal focused on cognitive engagement would prioritize:

Creating school traditions that foster school spirit
Ensuring instruction requires deep thinking, analysis, and application (Correct answer)
Monitoring attendance and on-task behavior in classrooms
Building positive student-teacher relationships

Correct answer: Ensuring instruction requires deep thinking, analysis, and application

Cognitive engagement refers to the mental effort and depth of thinking students invest in learning tasks, requiring instruction that moves beyond rote recall.

Question 13: A campus is experiencing high rates of student chronic absenteeism. Which multi-tiered approach aligns best with MTSS principles for addressing this issue?

Implement universal prevention, targeted check-in/check-out, and intensive case management tiers (Correct answer)
Refer all chronically absent students directly to juvenile probation
Send automated attendance letters to all families immediately
Mandate Saturday school attendance for all students with absences

Correct answer: Implement universal prevention, targeted check-in/check-out, and intensive case management tiers

MTSS addresses chronic absenteeism through universal strategies for all students, targeted interventions for at-risk students, and intensive individualized support for the highest-need cases.

Question 14: Which federal legislation requires schools receiving federal funding to provide a safe and drug-free school environment and includes provisions for expelling students who bring weapons to school?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Gun-Free Schools Act (Correct answer)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Correct answer: The Gun-Free Schools Act

The Gun-Free Schools Act requires schools receiving federal funding to expel for at least one year any student who brings a firearm to school, a requirement mirrored in Texas Education Code.

Question 15: A principal wants to search a student's backpack based on a tip from another student. Under New Jersey v. T.L.O., the search is legal if:

The principal has obtained written parental consent
A search warrant has been issued by a judge
There is reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence of a rule violation (Correct answer)
Law enforcement is present to conduct the search

Correct answer: There is reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence of a rule violation

New Jersey v. T.L.O. established that school searches require reasonable suspicion, not probable cause, and no warrant is needed.

Question 16: Under Goss v. Lopez, before suspending a student for 10 days or fewer, a school must provide:

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

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 17: Which instructional strategy is MOST consistent with Bandura's concept of self-efficacy development?

Providing mastery experiences through scaffolded, achievable tasks (Correct answer)
Eliminating verbal feedback so students develop internal motivation
Assigning tasks well above student current ability to promote challenge
Relying exclusively on peer comparison and competitive grading

Correct answer: Providing mastery experiences through scaffolded, achievable tasks

Bandura identified mastery experiences (successfully completing progressively challenging tasks) as the strongest source of self-efficacy.

Question 18: A principal receives a complaint from parents of advanced learners that their children are bored and underserved. Which response reflects a differentiation-based solution?

Collaborate with teachers to implement curriculum compacting and extension tasks (Correct answer)
Assign advanced students to help tutor struggling peers all day
Separate advanced students into a tracked class with a different teacher
Explain that all students must follow the same curriculum

Correct answer: Collaborate with teachers to implement curriculum compacting and extension tasks

Curriculum compacting and extension tasks provide appropriately challenging work for advanced learners within a differentiated classroom.

Question 19: Under Texas Education Code §37.108, school districts are required to review and update their multihazard emergency operations plan (EOP) at least how often?

Every 5 years
Every 2 years
Annually (Correct answer)
Every 3 years

Correct answer: Annually

Texas Education Code §37.108 requires districts to review and update their multihazard EOP at least annually to ensure plans remain current and effective.

Question 20: A principal wants to improve the clarity of written communications sent home to parents. Which revision strategy would be most effective?

Use advanced vocabulary to reflect high academic standards
Write at an 8th-grade reading level and use plain language (Correct answer)
Rely on teachers to interpret school communications for parents
Include as much information as possible in each letter

Correct answer: Write at an 8th-grade reading level and use plain language

Writing at an accessible reading level ensures that communications are understood by the widest range of parents and community members.

Question 21: What does Texas require of a principal regarding the annual audit of a campus budget?

Principals conduct independent audits without district involvement
Principals must hire a CPA firm to audit all campus accounts annually
Principals are exempt from financial oversight responsibilities
Principals must ensure financial records are available and cooperate with district and TEA audit processes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Principals must ensure financial records are available and cooperate with district and TEA audit processes

Texas principals are responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and cooperating fully with district and TEA audit processes.

Question 22: What is the primary role of a school principal in educational leadership?

Serving as an instructional leader and ensuring student success (Correct answer)
Limiting teacher collaboration
Overseeing financial budgets exclusively
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 23: A principal must approve a professional development (PD) calendar. Which TEA requirement must be satisfied?

All PD must occur outside the regular school year
Teachers must pay for any PD that exceeds 30 hours annually
PD providers must be approved at the state level by TEA
PD must be aligned to identified student learning needs and campus/district improvement goals (Correct answer)

Correct answer: PD must be aligned to identified student learning needs and campus/district improvement goals

TEA requires that professional development be aligned to identified student learning needs and campus or district improvement plan goals.

Question 24: When a principal provides written summary notes after a meeting, this practice primarily serves which communication function?

It demonstrates the principal's writing skills to staff
It creates a shared record that reinforces verbal agreements and reduces miscommunication (Correct answer)
It replaces the need for future meetings on the same topic
It allows the principal to add items not discussed in the meeting

Correct answer: It creates a shared record that reinforces verbal agreements and reduces miscommunication

Meeting summaries create a shared reference document that confirms what was discussed and agreed upon, reducing the risk of misinterpretation or selective memory.

Question 25: Which of the following is a characteristic of a 'respectful task' in differentiated instruction?

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

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 26: Jerome Bruner's spiral curriculum concept suggests that curriculum should be designed so that:

Students choose which topics to study in each grade
All topics are taught once in full detail at the appropriate grade level
Content is arranged strictly by chronological order
Core concepts are revisited repeatedly with increasing complexity over time (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Core concepts are revisited repeatedly with increasing complexity over time

Bruner's spiral curriculum revisits foundational concepts across grades with greater depth and sophistication each time.

Question 27: A principal wants to build teacher leadership capacity on campus. Which strategy most effectively develops distributed leadership?

Creating meaningful teacher leadership roles tied to school improvement goals with accountability structures (Correct answer)
Delegating only clerical tasks to reduce administrator workload
Asking interested teachers to observe administrative tasks without formal roles
Appointing the most senior teachers to all leadership roles automatically

Correct answer: Creating meaningful teacher leadership roles tied to school improvement goals with accountability structures

Meaningful teacher leadership roles connected to improvement goals, with clear expectations and accountability, build genuine distributed leadership that improves school capacity.

Question 28: Which Texas state policy governs the acceptable use of technology on public school campuses and must be signed by students and parents?

Digital Citizenship Pledge under TEA mandate
Texas Open Records Act compliance form
Internet Safety Agreement under CIPA
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) required under TEC §26.0091 guidance (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) required under TEC §26.0091 guidance

An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), aligned with state guidance and CIPA requirements, is the required agreement governing student technology use on Texas campuses.

Question 29: A Texas principal receives a complaint from a parent alleging a teacher engaged in discriminatory grading. What is the principal's FIRST required action?

Inform the school board before notifying the teacher
Refer the complaint directly to TEA without campus review
Conduct a preliminary inquiry and document all findings per campus policy (Correct answer)
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 30: What is a key responsibility of school administrators in managing school resources?

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

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%

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