TExES 268 School Operations & Policies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A principal receives a complaint that a teacher is consistently late opening the classroom door, leaving students unsupervised in the hallway. What is the principal's FIRST step?
- File a formal reprimand immediately
- Observe the situation personally and document findings before taking action (Correct answer)
- Notify the union representative before speaking with the teacher
- Send a campus-wide memo reminding all staff of supervision duties
Correct answer: Observe the situation personally and document findings before taking action
Principals must gather direct evidence through observation and documentation before initiating any disciplinary process.
Question 2: Under Texas Education Code, which entity is ultimately responsible for adopting a campus improvement plan?
- The campus principal alone
- The campus-level site-based decision-making committee (Correct answer)
- The superintendent
- The Texas Education Agency
Correct answer: The campus-level site-based decision-making committee
TEC §11.253 requires the campus-level committee, which includes teachers, parents, and community members, to collaboratively develop and adopt the campus improvement plan.
Question 3: A student with a documented 504 plan requires extended time on all assessments. A substitute teacher administers a test without providing accommodations. What should the principal do?
- Void the test and require the student to retest with proper accommodations (Correct answer)
- Document the substitute's error and move on
- Report the substitute to TEA
- Reduce the substitute's pay for the day
Correct answer: Void the test and require the student to retest with proper accommodations
Section 504 accommodations are legally mandated; a test administered without required accommodations is invalid and must be voided and readministered.
Question 4: A principal wants to change the campus tardy policy mid-year. Which step is MOST important before implementation?
- Post the change on the school website
- Seek input from the site-based committee and communicate changes to stakeholders (Correct answer)
- Obtain written approval from each teacher
- Wait until the next school year to implement any policy changes
Correct answer: Seek input from the site-based committee and communicate changes to stakeholders
Shared decision-making through the site-based committee and clear stakeholder communication are required before enacting policy changes that affect students and staff.
Question 5: During a fire drill, the principal notices that one wing of the building evacuated three minutes slower than the campus goal. What is the BEST response?
- Write up the teachers in that wing
- Analyze the evacuation route and procedures for that wing and adjust the emergency plan accordingly (Correct answer)
- Conduct an unannounced drill the next day
- Report the delay to the fire marshal
Correct answer: Analyze the evacuation route and procedures for that wing and adjust the emergency plan accordingly
Principals use drill data diagnostically to identify weaknesses in emergency procedures and update the campus safety plan for continuous improvement.
Question 6: A parent requests to see their child's cumulative folder, including teacher anecdotal notes kept in a separate personal file. Under FERPA, which records must the principal provide?
- Only the official cumulative record maintained by the school (Correct answer)
- All records, including the teacher's personal anecdotal notes
- Only records from the current school year
- Records may be withheld pending superintendent approval
Correct answer: Only the official cumulative record maintained by the school
FERPA covers official education records maintained by the institution; a teacher's personal notes not shared with others and not accessible to other school personnel are exempt.
Question 7: The district mandates that all campus budgets be submitted by March 1. A principal realizes that a critical instructional supply request was omitted. What is the MOST appropriate action?
- Purchase the supplies using personal funds and seek reimbursement later
- Submit a budget amendment request with documented justification as soon as possible (Correct answer)
- Wait until next year's budget cycle
- Redirect funds from the athletics account without approval
Correct answer: Submit a budget amendment request with documented justification as soon as possible
Budget amendment requests with clear documentation are the proper channel for addressing omissions while maintaining fiscal accountability and compliance.
TExES 268 School Operations & Policies 2
A principal receives a complaint that a teacher is consistently late opening the classroom door, leaving students unsupervised in the hallway.
What is the principal's FIRST step?