Professional Development

Question 1

Special Education Professional

Answer 1

coordinates with classroom teachers to ensure all student needs are being met

Question 2

Instructional Coaching

Answer 2

process for developing a teacher’s knowledge, skills, and practice to improve instruction and student learning; should be given in a nonevaluative and trusting setting; an instructional coach works with the teacher to provide ongoing and job-embedded professional development specific to the teacher’s needs

Question 3

Professional Development

Answer 3

activities, opportunities, and strategies undertaken by individuals to enhance their skills, knowledge, and capabilities in their field or profession, enabling ongoing growth, advancement, and career fulfillment

Question 4

Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

Answer 4

an educational right of all children to receive instruction tailored to their needs at no cost to their family by the local education agency (LEA)

Question 5

Team Leader / Department Chairperson

Answer 5

oversees the subject at a campus level; helps facilitate curriculum alignment and adherence to state standards

Question 6

Technology Coordinator

Answer 6

a district-level staff responsible for regulating the purchase of educational technology, such as software and computers

Question 7

Principal

Answer 7

leader of the campus

Question 8

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Answer 8

legally mandated, customized educational plan developed for students with disabilities in the United States, outlining specific learning goals, services, accommodations, and supports needed to meet their unique educational needs

Question 9

Counselors

Answer 9

may have various responsibilities ranging from counseling students to scheduling and coordinating testing

Question 10

Vertical Team

Answer 10

collaboration of teachers from different grade levels

Question 11

Assistant Principal

Answer 11

supports the principal in school management and supervisory responsibilities

Question 12

Board of Trustees (School Board)

Answer 12

members are elected by the community; the board hires and evaluates the superintendent and adopts the school district budget, amongst other responsibilities

Question 13

Superintendent

Answer 13

leader of the district as a whole; manages principals and district-level employees

Question 14

Mentor Teacher

Answer 14

experienced educator who helps a new teacher improve

Question 15

Horizontal Team

Answer 15

collaboration of teachers from different content areas at the same grade level

Question 16

Curriculum Coordinator

Answer 16

a district-level staff responsible for helping teachers purchase and/or develop their curriculum to meet specific goals

Question 17

A teacher notices that one of his 3rd-grade students is struggling to correctly hold a pencil and use scissors, both of which are slowing them down on many academic tasks. Which of the following specialists should the teacher consult with in order to assess whether or not a referral is appropriate?

a
a school counselor

b
an occupational therapist

c
a physical therapist

d
an administrator

Answer 17

Option b is the correct answer.
Explanation:
OTs focus on helping students learn how to accomplish everyday physical activities such as writing and using scissors. Asking the school’s OT to observe the child would be an appropriate step to help determine the needs of the student.

Question 18

Teachers should reflect and address areas of improvement throughout their career. Which of the following is the least helpful in guiding a teacher’s focus when clarifying areas of improvement?

a
tracking the frequency of allowing student choice in lesson plans

b
noting how often classroom objectives have connected to the real world

c
asking if they have used a variety of teaching methods

d
comparing the grades of one year to the next

Answer 18

Option d is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Comparing the grades from one year to the next would not be as helpful, as student ability varies from one class to the next. Measuring learning growth through comparing a pre-test and a post-test for the same students could be a method to focus areas of improvement.

Question 19

Mr. Herman is a new principal at Hardy Elementary school. During his training period, he learns that Hardy Elementary school has a 25% new teacher attrition rate. Mr. Herman, shocked that this number is so high, vows to provide more support and encouragement to new staff. To do this, he plans to:

Create a detailed teacher orientation program to assimilate new teachers to the school and community culture

Develop a high-quality teacher mentoring program to support, guide and encourage new teachers

Dedicate more resources to collecting teacher feedback at consistent points throughout the year

Develop school committees in which teachers can collaborate with one another

Seek ways to be more progressive and provide ongoing support

If beginning teachers would like to improve their knowledge of how to scaffold lessons for English-language learners, what should Mr. Herman recommend?

a
collaborating with an ESL professional at the school

b
trying a variety of methods in the classroom

c
attending an information session on the history of ESL programs

d
taking a course in the student’s native language

Answer 19

correct
Option a is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Collaborating with an ESL professional at the school is the best option because it will provide the teacher with someone in a supportive role for ongoing contact.

Question 20

The best way that schools can provide one-on-one assistance for new teachers is through

a
providing a parent volunteer who has experience with the school.

b
asking principals to meet monthly with new teachers on their campus.

c
matching new teachers with mentors.

d
creating a growth plan for each teacher.

Answer 20

correct
Option c is the correct answer.
Explanation:
A mentor teacher can provide a variety of assistance for a new teacher.

Question 21

It is important that teachers regularly reflect on their own teaching practices by:

a
comparing their students’ test scores with national norms.

b
asking their colleagues for constructive criticism.

c
documenting all unsuccessful lessons in detail.

d
looking for common strategies that were used in successful lessons.

Answer 21

Option d is the correct answer.
Explanation:
This is one way that a teacher could reflect on their own teaching practices.

Question 22

Ms. Kingly is rather unsure about the cause of the Coriolis effect, so she decides to show a movie about it to her class instead of trying to teach it to them directly. What else should Ms. Kingly do in order to prepare for the lesson?

a
Study up on the Coriolis effect so she can confidently answer student questions and guide further exploration.

b
Make a fill-in-the-blank worksheet for students to complete while watching the movie.

c
Find a reading in the textbook for students to read after they watch the movie.

d
Ask other teachers in her school how they teach the Coriolis effect and get ideas from them for extension activities.

Answer 22

correct
Option a is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Ms. Kingly needs to understand the concept herself before she tries to teach it, whether she teaches through student exploration, through direct instruction, or through an outside resource such as a movie.

Question 23

A new teacher will be working at a school that has many types of professionals on the staff, including paraprofessionals, speech/language therapists, and school psychologists. Due to the nature of the student population, many of these professionals will be in and out of classrooms on a regular basis. What is the best way for the new teacher to form relationships with these professionals?

a
The teacher should ask to observe one of the professionals during a 1:1 session to learn more about their roles.

b
The teacher should introduce himself/herself to everyone during the first week of school.

c
The teacher should meet with professionals who will regularly be in his/her classroom to learn more about their roles and how to collaborate effectively to support student learning.

d
When these professionals are in the teacher’s classroom, he/she should continue with the lesson as though they are not present so as to not disrupt student learning.

Answer 23

correct
Option c is the correct answer.
Explanation:
In order to build positive relationships, the teacher first needs to understand what the professionals’ roles are. The teacher can then better understand how to incorporate the professionals into the classroom and what strategies they can address together to support student learning.

Question 24

Which of the following teaching scenarios would require the most collaboration between teaching professionals?

a
a general education teacher has students with IEPs

b
a teacher has several students with significant medical needs

c
two teachers co-plan an interdisciplinary unit

d
a general education teacher and ELL teacher co-teach a class

Answer 24

correct
Option d is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Co-teaching requires (at least) weekly planning meetings in which both teachers are active participants. Co-teaching also requires both teachers to be in the same classroom, teaching together. This requires planning not only of the content but of the instructional model that will be used for each lesson.

Question 25

A first-year teacher wants to improve their classroom management skills. Which of the following would be the best strategy for the teacher to accomplish this growth? a Discuss his current strategies with the principal and ask the principal for guidance in improving his classroom management skills. b Use online resources to find the best classroom management techniques. c Observe experienced teachers in the classroom and discuss classroom management skills when students leave the class. d Observe the classroom management abilities of other first-year teachers.

Answer 25

correct Option c is the correct answer. Explanation: This is the best option, as the teacher will be able to see good classroom-management skills implemented by experienced teachers. Other answer options do not include observation and good classroom-management skills being implemented by experienced educators.

Question 26

The main purpose of educational journals and publications is to a reinforce a teacher's understanding of the subject matter they are teaching. b identify current laws and legislation affecting education, especially in the area of special needs students. c keep educators aware of current trends and research relating to instructional techniques and best practices. d profit from the grants by private institutions and grants by the government in education.

Answer 26

correct Option c is the correct answer. Explanation: It is the purpose of educational publications to inform educators of current trends and research in education so they can best meet the needs of their students.

Question 27

A first-grade teacher is concerned about recent behavior changes in a student that started after his parents' divorce. Which of the following colleagues would be appropriate for the teacher to discuss these concerns with? a a second-grade teacher who has gone through a divorce b the school counselor c a fourth-grade teacher who is friends with the student's mother d The teacher should not discuss these concerns with any colleagues.

Answer 27

correct Option b is the correct answer. Explanation: A school counselor can provide necessary support for this student and may have relevant information about the student to share with the teacher if appropriate.

Question 28

Ms. Swick is a technology guru and uses online tools, rubrics, and communication daily in class. She is the campus resource for teachers with new questions. Her students and parents appreciate how easy it is to find resources in and out of class. Which of the following is probably NOT a method that Ms. Swick uses in her class? a Ms. Swick had several years to build up all the online resources that she now uses and shares with parents and students. b Ms. Swick is constantly using feedback to improve the online tools. c Ms. Swick attends all the necessary training and reaches out to district resources to answer questions about the districts tech tools. d Ms. Swick schedules downtime into her classes so she can implement these resources.

Answer 28

correct Option d is the correct answer. Explanation: While new tools can take some time to learn and prep for class, an effective teacher will ask for help and implement resources in a manner that shows good time management. This should not include using classroom time.

Question 29

Use the information below to answer the questions that follow. The information presents a hypothetical classroom scenario, and the questions require that you make the best decision based on the presented information. Ms. Wright is a 6th-grade math teacher who likes to design her own task-based lessons to go along with the school curriculum. For a unit on statistics, she designs a project in which students create statistical questions, survey students, display and analyze the results, and report their interpretations and conclusions in a presentation to the class. After each step, Ms. Wright has the students turn in their work so that she can provide constructive feedback and give students time to find solutions to improve their work. When the students present their conclusions to the class, Ms. Wright is impressed by her students' presentations and findings, but is worried because the task took two days longer than it should have. She feels pressure to cut down the content in the next unit to get back on schedule. Ms. Wright tells her mentor teacher about her concern, and together they list the specific problems that were causing her delay: 1) Too much instructional time was spent collecting student work and returning it to students. 2) A lot of her planning time was spent commenting on student work and providing feedback. 3) Students often misplaced parts of their assignment, as it was on separate pages and frequently transferred from student to teacher. What is the primary reason that Ms. Wright plans to meet with a mentor teacher? a to compare personal teaching philosophies b to improve her instructional approach in the future c to commiserate about a shared experience d to discuss alternatives to task-based assignments

Answer 29

correct Option b is the correct answer. Explanation: After identifying the issues that led to Ms. Wright's delay, the next step will be to discuss possible solutions to avoid these issues in the future.

Question 30

Which of the following is the best way for a teacher to improve their techniques when working with English language learners (ELLs)? a attending a presentation on ESL teaching models b collaborating with an ESL professional c researching ESL teaching online d leading a group discussion with English language learners

Answer 30

correct Option b is the correct answer. Explanation: Collaborating with an ESL professional will provide the teacher with information specific to their students and subject areas and give teachers an ongoing contact for support and any new questions that arise.

Question 31

After attending a classroom management workshop, a teacher realizes that her current strategies are not effective. Her most appropriate next step is: a to ask her students to sign a pledge to improve their behavior. b to ask an administrator for help in reforming her classroom strategies. c to align classroom consequences with the other classes in the same grade level. d to consult the campus handbook about expectations in the classroom.

Answer 31

Option b is the correct answer. Explanation: An administrator would be the most helpful in making the needed changes. incorrect Option d is the wrong answer. Explanation: The issue is the teacher implementing these expectations. She needs to consult with someone experienced with classroom behavior.

Question 32

Mr. Brown and Mr. Gates decide to split teaching a new social studies program at Yosemite High School. Which of the following is the most important step to take at the beginning of the program to ensure the effectiveness of the program? a Plan the scope and sequence of the curriculum. b Assign each teacher certain administrative tasks to perform, such as filing papers, inputting grades, etc. c Set aside time each week to discuss the next week's activities and the current needs of the students. d Choose a lecture format that both teachers are comfortable working within to ensure students are not confused by variations in teaching styles.

Answer 32

Option c is the correct answer. Explanation: By planning time to discuss the program's progress and needs, the teachers are able to ensure effectiveness as they can adapt instruction to the current classroom needs. incorrect Option a is the wrong answer. Explanation: Planning the scope and sequence is important, although as class needs change throughout the year, it is most important to have time each week to discuss the best approach to meet the students' needs.

Question 33

A new teacher and a mentor teacher agree to meet every other week. The meetings begin with the new teacher sharing one thing that is going well in the classroom and one thing that they would like to improve upon. Which of the following is the greatest benefit of beginning the meeting this way? a It prevents the teachers from gossiping. b It gives the teachers something to talk about. c It ensures the meetings are as productive as possible. d It allows the mentor teacher to know that the new teacher is succeeding.

Answer 33

correct Option c is the correct answer. Explanation: This focus allows the teachers to reflect on why things have been successful and what can be done to improve on the other lesson.

Question 34

Which of the following are benefits of pursuing post-graduate course work? a working toward promotion to an administrative position b meeting any continuing education requirements for recertification c developing new skills d guaranteed salary raise

Answer 34

correct Option c is the correct answer. Explanation: Taking post-graduate classes is a great way to develop new skills and acquaint yourself with new research.

Question 35

What is the most effective way to support teachers who are new to the profession? a ensuring new teachers have smaller class sizes until they are more experienced b assigning a trained and experienced mentor teacher to support each new teacher c limiting the number of new-to-profession teachers on each campus d extensive summer training for new teachers

Answer 35

correct Option b is the correct answer. Explanation: Trained, experienced, and supportive mentor teachers help new teachers become familiar with the school and daily challenges associated with the profession.

Question 36

A 5th-grade teacher is planning a research unit in which each student will select a state to research and create an informational text to present their findings. Which of the following specialists would be the most helpful to this teacher in planning and executing this unit? a ELL teacher b occupational therapist c special education teacher d library media specialist

Answer 36

correct Option d is the correct answer. Explanation: A library media specialist could help the teacher by finding books in the library to allow students to use physical texts to conduct their research in addition to internet sources. Library specialists can even pull books from the library and create a traveling cart of books that can be brought right to the classroom to be used for several days in a row. This information would help the teacher plan and execute the lesson.

Question 37

A general and a special education teacher are working together to co-teach a science class. Which of the following aspects of the course would they work together to create or determine? Select all answers that apply. a instructional strategies b learning goals c curriculum d standards

Answer 37

correct Option a is the correct answer. Explanation: Together, the teachers would create a classroom routine or instructional plan that could be used in a classroom of diverse learners. This would include instructional strategies that could change from lesson-to-lesson depending on student need, content, etc.. correct Option b is the correct answer. Explanation: Together, the teachers would determine the instructional objectives based on the curriculum standards and create a sequence of learning goals to help guide their lesson planning. These learning goals would be a sentence written in student-friendly language describing what students should be able to do at the end of each lesson or class session.

Question 38

A social studies teacher wants to create a living museum in which students dress up as historical characters and give mini-presentations when visitors approach their station. The teacher would like to invite the community and parents. Which of the following should be the first task to complete on an action plan for implementing this project? a sending home permission forms for students to participate b discussing plans with campus administrators c seeking community sponsors d assigning students a famous person to research

Answer 38

correct Option b is the correct answer. Explanation: Prior to beginning the project, the campus administrator needs to be informed.

Question 39

According to district policy, all new teachers must go through an evaluation process each of their first 3 years at a new school. Which of the following roles is likely to be responsible for conducting these evaluations? a the instructional coach b the superintendent and/or assistant superintendent c the team leader or department chair d the principal and/or assistant principal(s)

Answer 39

correct Option d is the correct answer. Explanation: Principals or assistant principals act as supervisors for teachers and would be responsible for conducting yearly evaluations. This would involve official observations and discussions of instructional effectiveness, professionalism, and other aspects that may determine future employment.

Question 40

Which of the following is the best way for a teacher to improve their techniques when working with English language learners (ELLs)? a collaborating with an ESL professional b researching ESL teaching online c attending a presentation on ESL teaching models d leading a group discussion with English language learners

Answer 40

correct Option a is the correct answer. Explanation: Collaborating with an ESL professional will provide the teacher with information specific to their students and subject areas and give teachers an ongoing contact for support and any new questions that arise.

Question 41

In which of the following situations would it be most important for a high school English teacher to consult with a school administrator or school counselor before proceeding with a lesson plan? a The teacher is planning to continue discussion of a topic from a novel by including analysis of news articles, short stories, and poems from the same time period. b The teacher is planning to have students read a book that includes traumatic events, and several students in the class were personally impacted by this type of trauma. c The teacher is planning to show an instructional clip found on a popular streaming website. d The teacher is planning to begin a project which will require the purchase of supplies.

Answer 41

correct Option b is the correct answer. Explanation: Teachers need to be sensitive to the personal experiences of students and how reading about a traumatic event may be upsetting to students who have experienced a similar event. The teacher should speak with an administrator and school counselor to discuss ways to introduce the topic in a sensitive manner and allow students the opportunity to seek support if needed as a result of the topic.

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an appropriate professional development goal? a general b measurable c timely d relevant

Answer 42

correct Option a is the correct answer. Explanation: Goals should be specific so that mastery can be determined easily.