TExES 268 Instructional Leadership 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A principal notices that student performance data shows a significant gap in reading comprehension between English learners and native speakers. What should the principal do FIRST?
- Conduct a root-cause analysis with teachers to identify instructional factors contributing to the gap (Correct answer)
- Purchase new reading intervention software for English learners
- Assign English learners to a separate reading class taught by a specialist
- Increase the number of standardized assessments given to English learners
Correct answer: Conduct a root-cause analysis with teachers to identify instructional factors contributing to the gap
Conducting a root-cause analysis collaboratively with teachers allows the principal to identify specific instructional factors before implementing solutions.
Question 2: Which leadership strategy BEST supports a culture of continuous professional learning among teachers?
- Requiring teachers to complete district-mandated online modules quarterly
- Establishing professional learning communities where teachers collaboratively examine student work and refine instruction (Correct answer)
- Providing annual performance evaluations tied to student test scores
- Scheduling monthly faculty meetings to disseminate research articles
Correct answer: Establishing professional learning communities where teachers collaboratively examine student work and refine instruction
Professional learning communities that focus on collaborative examination of student work and instructional refinement are the most effective structure for sustained professional growth.
Question 3: A teacher's instructional strategies are not producing adequate student learning outcomes. The principal has already held one conference with the teacher. What is the NEXT most appropriate step?
- Place the teacher on a formal improvement plan immediately
- Conduct frequent classroom observations and provide specific, actionable feedback tied to a growth plan (Correct answer)
- Reassign the teacher to a non-classroom role for the remainder of the year
- Ask a mentor teacher to take over the class for one week
Correct answer: Conduct frequent classroom observations and provide specific, actionable feedback tied to a growth plan
Frequent observations with specific, actionable feedback tied to a growth plan supports the teacher's improvement while documenting progress.
Question 4: When developing a campus instructional plan, which data source is MOST important to prioritize?
- Statewide average performance benchmarks from the previous year
- Disaggregated campus assessment data identifying specific student subgroup needs (Correct answer)
- Feedback from parents gathered at a single open house event
- National education research trends published in peer-reviewed journals
Correct answer: Disaggregated campus assessment data identifying specific student subgroup needs
Disaggregated campus data reveals specific subgroup needs, enabling targeted instructional planning most directly aligned to the students served.
Question 5: A principal wants to ensure equitable access to rigorous coursework for all students. Which action BEST reflects this goal?
- Allowing students to self-select into advanced courses based on their own interest
- Reviewing enrollment data by subgroup and removing barriers to enrollment in advanced courses (Correct answer)
- Requiring all students to take the same courses regardless of readiness level
- Partnering with local universities to offer dual-enrollment exclusively to top-performing students
Correct answer: Reviewing enrollment data by subgroup and removing barriers to enrollment in advanced courses
Reviewing enrollment data by subgroup and addressing barriers ensures underrepresented students gain equitable access to rigorous opportunities.
Question 6: During a classroom walkthrough, a principal observes that a teacher is doing most of the talking while students are passively listening. Which feedback approach is MOST effective?
- Leave a written note in the teacher's mailbox listing the observation concerns
- Discuss the observation in a post-conference, ask the teacher to reflect on student engagement levels, and co-develop strategies to increase student discourse (Correct answer)
- Share the observation anonymously with all staff at the next faculty meeting
- Arrange for the teacher to observe a colleague's classroom without follow-up discussion
Correct answer: Discuss the observation in a post-conference, ask the teacher to reflect on student engagement levels, and co-develop strategies to increase student discourse
A reflective post-conference conversation that co-develops strategies promotes teacher agency and leads to meaningful instructional change.
Question 7: A campus principal wants to align classroom instruction with the state curriculum standards (TEKS). Which approach is MOST systematic?
- Distribute printed copies of the TEKS to all teachers at the start of the year
- Facilitate curriculum mapping sessions where teachers vertically and horizontally align instruction, assessments, and TEKS (Correct answer)
- Allow each department to develop their own pacing guides independently
- Ask the assistant principal to monitor TEKS coverage through weekly lesson plan reviews
Correct answer: Facilitate curriculum mapping sessions where teachers vertically and horizontally align instruction, assessments, and TEKS
Facilitated curriculum mapping with vertical and horizontal alignment ensures coherent, standards-aligned instruction across grade levels and subjects.
TExES 268 Instructional Leadership 2
A principal notices that student performance data shows a significant gap in reading comprehension between English learners and native speakers.
What should the principal do FIRST?