TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) Practice Test and Prep

Take the Principal as Instructional Leader Practice Test

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Welcome to our TExES (268) practice test and prep page. On this page, we outline the domains and key concepts for the TExES Principal exam. It is a free resource we provide so you can see how prepared you are to take the official exam.

While this free guide outlines the competencies and domains found on the exam, our paid TExES Principal as Instructional Leader study guide covers EVERY concept you need to know and is set up to ensure your success! Our online TExES Principal (268) study guide provides test-aligned study material using interactive aids, videos, flash cards, quizzes and practice tests.

Will I pass using this free article? Will I pass using your paid study guide?

If you use this guide and research the key concepts on the TExES 268 on your own, it’s possible you will pass, but why take that chance? With our paid study guide, we guarantee you will pass.

Quick Links to Help You Navigate This Page

• TExES Principal Test Information
• TExES Principal Domain I:  School Culture
• TExES Principal Domain II:  Leading Learning
• TExES Principal Domain III:  Human Capital
• TExES Principal Domain IV:  Executive Leadership
• TExES Principal Domain V:  Strategic Operations
• TExES Principal Domain VI:  Ethics, Equity, and Diversity
• TExES Principal Domain VII:  Integration (Constructed-Response)

TExES Principal Test Information

Overview

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) adopted new principal standards in 2016. The new standards emphasize the critical role of the school principal with an increased emphasis on instructional leadership.

All candidates will need to pass the new TExES Principal (268) and complete the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) to obtain a standard principal certification starting on 9/1/2019. Additional information may be found using the link below:

tea.texas.gov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost:

Exam Fee= $200.

Scoring:

A score of 240 is required to pass this exam. Scores are reported within 28 days of testing.

Study time:

The amount of study time depends on the test taker. However, creating a workable plan and breaking the study time into manageable time frames is recommended. Of course, you will need more study time to review concepts with which you are less familiar or comfortable. The following tips will help you develop a study plan:

1. Pre-assess your knowledge: What do you know? Not know?
2. Consider the materials needed: What do you have? What do you need?
3. Plan a date and time to study each concept.

Information and screenshots obtained from:

www.tx.nesinc.com

TExES Principal Domain I: School Culture

Overview

The School Culture domain accounts for about 22-23% of the entire exam, more specifically:

• 12% of selected-response questions
• 10% of constructed-response questions

This domain can be neatly divided into 2 competencies:

• Establishing and Implementing a Shared Vision and Culture
• Working with Stakeholders

So, let’s start with the first competency.

Establishing and Implementing a Shared Vision and Culture

This section tests your knowledge of creating and communicating a positive shared vision and campus culture with all stakeholders of the school.

Let’s talk about some concepts that you will more than likely see on the test.

Building a Positive School Culture

The principal is the leader of the school, and he or she is ultimately responsible for a positive culture. Teachers, staff, students, and parents should feel proud to attend school. There should be a feeling of confidence that the leadership is able to do the following:

• Build strong relationships
• Teach essential social skills
• Get on the same page
• Be role models
• Clarify classroom and school rules
• Teach all students problem solving
• Set appropriate consequences
• Praise students for good choices

Developing a New Campus Vision

A campus vision may be as brief or detailed as desired; however, keeping the vision simple may help focus attention and promote memory. Here are two examples:

Lee High School, through focused instruction for all students, will be a Top 10 School in its comparison group.

The vision of Laura Bush Middle School is to maintain an exemplary climate, staff, and innovative environment designed to meet students’ unique needs in order to educate and equip all students with life skills to reach their fullest potential academically, socially, and personally.

Working with Stakeholders

This section tests your knowledge of how to work effectively with stakeholders through acknowledgement, recognition, and celebration.

Here are some concepts that are likely to appear on the test.

Managing Conflict

Conflicts may arise between students, staff members, etc. One example could be two teachers assigned to the same “team.” Perhaps one teacher is a veteran educator, while the other is fresh out of college. Their teaching styles differ. The veteran teacher wants the schedule to remain the same and use last year’s lesson plans, while the newly hired teacher wants to try new ideas. When the relationship begins to affect the students, the principal must intervene and mediate.

It is suggested to meet with both teachers, together, in a neutral setting. The principal must present the issues, ask for input from both teachers, and facilitate an action plan to resolve the conflict and move forward. The principal should avoid closed discussions with each teacher individually, and attempt to keep the conversation transparent to both involved parties.

Helping Caregivers Engage in the Education Process

Principals can encourage caregivers to engage in the education process. The principal should actively communicate and model examples, including:

• Ask children about daily assignments
• Monitor to make sure work is completed
• Praise efforts
• Support a routine and schedule for homework, sleep, etc.
• Volunteer at the school/ in the classroom
• Speak positively about other stakeholders

And that is some information about Domain I: School Culture.

TExES Principal Domain II: Leading Learning

Overview

The Leading Learning domain accounts for about 41-45% of the entire exam, more specifically:

• 16% of selected-response questions
• 25% of constructed-response questions

This domain can be neatly divided into 2 competencies:

• Developing and Implementing High-Quality Instruction
• Monitoring and Assessing Classroom Instruction

Let’s dive in!

Developing and Implementing High-Quality Instruction

This section tests your knowledge of collaborating to develop and implement high-quality instruction using research-based best practices.

Let’s talk about some concepts that you will more than likely see on the test.

Best Practices in the Classroom

The principal should encourage and model best practices for high-quality instruction. These best practices include:

• Clear, appropriate objectives are posted and/or stated
• The teacher models new concepts

The following blog includes additional research-based ideas:

blog.edmentum.com

Technology to Enhance Student Learning

Technology offers a great opportunity to teach. There are numerous ways to incorporate technology in the classroom. Principals should model, coach, and assess teachers’ use of technology to ensure that it reinforces the learning objectives of lessons. The principal should stay current on technologies and applications and act as a resource to teachers. Some ideas appropriate for all grade levels include Flipgrid, Google Classroom, Quizlet, Edpuzzle, and Kahoot.

Many applications are free, but the principal must also be aware of any district policies regarding the use of technology.

Monitoring and Assessing Classroom Instruction

This section tests your knowledge of monitoring and assessing classroom instruction to facilitate learning and achievement for all students.

Let’s look at some concepts that will most likely pop up on the test.

Observing Classrooms

A principal is observing many things while in a classroom. For example,

related to the curriculum, the principal will want to consider the following:

• Clear, appropriate objectives are posted and/or state
• The teacher models new concepts
• Lessons are focused and directed toward objectives
• Evidence of continuity of lessons based on student need
• Topics are appropriate to the developmental level of students

Note: Many school districts have an internal checklist for principals to utilize during an observation. This checklist will align with state standards and requirements.

Formative versus Summative Assessments

The principal should understand the difference between formative and summative assessments. The chart below summarizes each type:

TExES Principal Domain IV: Executive Leadership

Overview

The Executive Leadership domain accounts for about 6% of the entire exam.

This domain can be neatly divided into 2 competencies:

• Communicating with Stakeholders
• Improving Student Outcomes

So, let’s talk about those competencies.

Communicating with Stakeholders

This section tests your knowledge of developing relationships and communicating with all stakeholders in order to strengthen and support the campus.

Let’s talk about a concept that you will more than likely see on the test.

Ways to Communicate with Stakeholders

It is important to communicate information about the school on a regular and predictable basis using a variety of formats. Websites and social media accounts should be up to date and checked for accuracy. There may be families without internet access, or in need of special accommodations. The school leadership should survey parents and offer written communication in the preferred language when applicable.

Improving Student Outcomes

This section tests your knowledge of ways to improve student outcomes through community awareness and problem-solving.

Here are some concepts that you will more than likely see on the test.

Socioeconomic Status and its Effect on Academic Performance

Research continues to link lower SES to lower academic achievement and slower rates of academic progress as compared with higher SES communities. Children from low-SES families are less likely to have experiences that encourage the development of fundamental skills of reading acquisition, such as phonological awareness, vocabulary, and oral language (Buckingham, Wheldall, & Beaman-Wheldall, 2013).

So, what can the principal do? Below are some ideas to improve academic performance for low SES students:

• Hire highly-qualified teachers
• Focus on improving teaching and learning
• Create an information-rich environment
• Build a learning community
• Support continuous professional development, the involvement of parents, and increased funding and resources

Promoting Collaborative Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

The following best practices are recommended to promote collaborative decision-making and problem-solving:

TExES Principal Domain V: Strategic Operations

Overview

The Strategic Operations domain accounts for about 6% of the entire exam.

This domain can be neatly divided into 2 competencies:

• Determining Goals and Implementing Strategies
• Resource Management, Policy Implementation, and Coordination of School Operations and Programs

So, let’s talk about those competencies.

Determining Goals and Implementing Strategies

This section tests your knowledge of determining goals and implementing strategies to support teacher effectiveness and positive student outcomes.

Here is a concept that you will more than likely see on the test.

Setting Measurable School Goals

Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This is known as the SMART approach.

Goals should be based on data. For example, if the second-grade reading comprehension scores across the campus are below the district or state expectation, a SMART goal could be created. Goals should align with student outcomes and support the school vision.

Resource Management, Policy Implementation, and Coordination of School Operations and Programs

This section tests your knowledge of resource management, policy implementation, and coordination of school operations and programs to ensure a safe, well-managed learning environment.

Check out these concepts.

Developing Campus Budgets

Budgeting is the process of allocating resources to the prioritized needs of the school. In most cases, the budget represents the legal authority to spend money. Adoption of a budget should consider the needs of the given campus. All decisions should be based on data. For example, the second grade state assessment scores in reading may fall short of projections. A new reading program may be proposed and budgeted if the leadership believes it addresses the specific reading needs of that student population. This is a data-driven decision.

Creating a Crisis Plan

A crisis plan communicates how a school will prevent, prepare, respond, and recover following a crisis. The crisis may result from natural causes (i.e., tornado) or any other dangerous situation (i.e., an armed intruder). Below are some key considerations when developing a crisis plan:

• Effective crisis planning begins with top-level leadership to help set the policy agenda, secure funds and bring people from different agencies together
• Crisis plans can’t be developed in a vacuum
• Schools and districts should begin communicating and building relationships well before a crisis occurs
• Plans should be developed with community groups including law enforcement, fire safety officials, emergency medical services and mental health professionals
• Establish a clear and common vocabulary
• Tailor plans at the district level to each school’s needs
• Plan for the diverse needs of students and employees
• Ensure teachers and staff have ready access to the plan
• Train and drill

That is some information about Domain V:  Strategic Operations of the TExES 268 exam.

TExES Principal VI: Ethics, Equity, and Diversity

Overview

The Ethics, Equity, and Diversity domain accounts for about 6% of the entire TExES Principal exam.

This domain can be neatly divided into 1 competency:

• Providing Ethical Leadership

So, let’s talk about that competency.

Providing Ethical Leadership

This section tests your knowledge of ethical leadership. You should know how to advocate for all learners and act as a role model in your actions.

Check out these concepts.

Legal Guidelines Pertaining to Special Education

An ARD (Admission, Review, and Dismissal) Committee is an educational group that makes important plans and decisions for select students. The ARD Committee often creates Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students with special education needs. An ARD Committee typically includes members representing regular education, special education, campus leadership, and parents or guardians.

Per IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), IEPs are required for children with disabilities, including preschool-aged children.

Educator’s Code of Ethics

The Educators’ Code of Ethics is set forth in the Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community.

As with many professions requiring a state license, the teaching profession—like law and medicine—is governed by a code of ethics. This code outlines standards of personal and professional conduct that you, a member of the profession, must uphold. Violating a standard can have serious consequences for your teaching certificate.

That is some basic information about Domain VI: Ethics, Equity, and Diversity of the TExES 268 exam.

TExES Principal Domain VII: Integration (Constructed-Response)

Overview

There are 4 constructed-response questions on the exam. These questions require you to provide an in-depth written response to demonstrate your knowledge.

The questions are stand-alone “case studies.” A video or documentation may be provided to help you evaluate information and support your written response.

A holistic rubric, consisting of scores between 1 and 4, will be used to score responses. Below are some tips to assist you in this section of the test:

1. Address all parts of the question
2. Re-read your response for clarity
3. Include evidence from the provided documents, supporting your response
4. Check your response against the scoring rubric

And that’s some basic info about the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader exam.

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