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Details

Title

CSUN Admin Comprehensive Exam

Description

Flash cards for CSUN Comprehensive Exam - Cohort i

Total Cards

447

Subject

Education

Level

Graduate

Created

02/20/2012

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Term

Outline the procedures you would follow in conducting an action research program to improve student learning in school: (a) list the specific steps to be accomplished and (b) briefly explain its implementation.

Definition

Phase I - Problem Identification:

Why do you want to do it? Is it an important and practical problem, something worth your time and effort, something that could be beneficial to you, your students and others?

Is the problem stated clearly and in the form of a question? Is it broad enough to allow for a range of insights and findings? Is it narrow enough to be manageable within your timeframe and your daily work?

Phase II - Plan of Action

Will you develop and implement a new strategy or approach to address your question? If so, what will it be?

Implement the instructional practices consistently

Implement the instructional practices as they were designed to be implemented

Monitor student results

Will you focus your study on existing practices? If so, which particular ones?

What is an appropriate timeline for what you are trying to accomplish?

Phase III - Data Collection

What types of data should you try to collect in order to answer your question?

How will you ensure that you have multiple perspectives?

What resources exist and what information from others might be useful in helping you to frame your question, decide on types of data to collect, or to help you in interpreting your findings?

Phase IV - Analysis of Data

What can you learn from the data? What patterns, insights, and new understandings can you find?

What meaning do these patterns, insights, and new understandings have for your practice? for your students?

Phase V - Plan for Future Action

What will you do differently in your classroom as a result of this study?

What might you recommend to others?

How will you write about what you have learned so that the findings will be useful to you and to others?

Term

The editor of the local paper has called and requested that you prepare an article on the Role and Purpose of Alternative Schools at the Secondary Level. Prepare such an article.

Definition

A. The role of alternative secondary schools…

Are designed to meet a variety of needs including preventing students from dropping out of school, providing another educational option, serving as a disciplinary consequence, or providing academic/behavioral remediation.

Are primarily designed for high school age students, although many states have schools that are serving younger students.

Are accessed by students in a variety of ways ranging from student choice (usually with some specified parameters) to mandatory placement.

Often have criteria for enrollment (e.g., students may be admitted as a result of suspension or expulsion or they must meet some form of at-risk criteria).

Serve students for varying amounts of time (e.g., short- term placement and transition back to traditional school; long-term commitment through graduation).

Offer educational programs that typically include one or more of the following; an emphasis on individual instruction, a focus on basic academic skills, social services (e.g., counseling or social skills instruction), and/or community or work-based learning.

B. The purpose of alternative secondary schools:

Alternative education programs, both public school-based and community-based, offer students who are struggling or who have left school an opportunity to achieve in a new setting and use creative, individualized learning methods. While there are many different kinds of alternative schools and programs, they are often characterized by their flexible schedules, smaller student-teacher ratios, relevant and career-oriented themes, and innovative curricula. Alternative education can be invaluable in helping communities offer multiple pathways to success for all high school-aged students, including those who are not succeeding in a traditional public school environment.

Term

List five major curricular issues confronting educational leaders

Definition

Curricular issues are defined as anything that occurs or affects schools. Therefore the following five issues are…

Facilities

Class size reduction

Spec Ed

Encroachment on general fund

inclusion

ELs

Teachers need special training

Students need excellerated ELD

Impoverish learners

Learning gaps

Need nutrition (providing meals)

Qualified teachers

Teacher retention

School choice – vouchers

Achievement Gap

Budget

How you spend your money

Do you purchase a coordinator or TAs?

Term

Steps needs assessment of curriculum of the school:

Definition

Build knowledge base:

Survey stakeholders – focused on what is working and what needs improvement?

Analyze standardized test scores

Analyze demographics of the schools (enrollment trends) (teachers’ experience)

Analyze the current curriculum

What resources are available?

Expertise

Professional development

Community

Materials

Term

Three conditions conducive to bringing about curriculum change:

Definition

New legislation: change law or mandates in curriculum

New district policy: will change the mandates (top down)

Needs within the school – look at the test scores and needs and try to adapt to the school’s needs

Receptive staff – when teachers are willing to try something new, “buy in” and vision will bring change.

Receptive community – need a change leader – build parent/school partnership

Term

Criteria used in selecting curriculum content:

Definition

alignment to the standards

alignment to district / school’s goals & vision

teacher friendliness – easy to use

cross-curriculum integration

assessment tools

developmentally sound

avoid cultural biases

support resources for universal access

Term

Name and discuss are three critical curriculum issues that affect decision making.

Definition

Differentiating instruction

Spec. Ed

ELs

GATE

intervention

Facilities

Professional Development

Term

As a principal, you have been directed to evaluate the effectiveness of XXX curriculum of your school. Discuss your plan and what criteria you would use for evaluation.

Definition

1. understand and evaluate 6 types of curriculum a. taught b. learned c. assessed d. hidden e. recommended f. supported 2. develop school’s vision of quality curriculum 3. create a leadership committee 4. collect and analyze data 5. evaluate materials, teaching strategies, programs, support, etc…

Term

Administrators are continuously faced with the task of making decisions with regards to issues, personnel problems, operational procedures, etc. Discuss the dynamics of the decision-making process.

Definition

I. Introduction: One of the most important skills an administrator can have is the ability to quickly process information and make decisions. A. On a daily basis, administrators must have the ability to make decisions in a split second. B. At any given moment, a problem may arise with a student, a parent, or even a teacher that requires an administrator to make an important decision. C. This decision is often made in a split second, but successful administrators are able to first identify a problem or issue, gather as much information on the issue, process the information into identified pros and cons and then make an action oriented decision. II. The first step of the decision making process is to identify the issue. A. In some cases, the issue may be public and obvious, such as a parent complaining to others in the middle of the hallway. B. In other cases, the issue may be hidden and need to be uncovered by the administrator, such as a teacher who is struggling with lesson planning in the classroom. C. Successful administrators are able to observe and note instances of problem and drill down to the root of the problem. III. The next step in the decision making process is to be able to identify all areas of the problem. A. Successful administrators gather as many perspectives and as much information on an issue as possible. B. Gathering information and seeing the issue from other perspectives allows administrators to make judgments that are not steeped in bias. C. Once the information is gathered, the administrator needs to cognitively process the information. IV. The final step in the thinking process during decision making is for the administrator to weigh the options possible. A. In some cases, this may mean doing something that is uncomfortable but necessary for legal or personnel reasons. B. Successful administrators are principle driven, making decisions that weigh the options, yet are centered around students and student learning. V. Finally, the decision making process leads to a conscious decision to either take action or purposefully not need to take action. VI. At the end of some decisions, it may be necessary for the parties involved to evaluate the decision and the decision making process. A. Successful administrators are able to learn from their previous mistakes and successes and reflect on how to improve.

Term

You recently have been appointed principal in a new district. Describe the steps you would take to establish a school climate that encourages change and innovation on the part of the faculty and explain why each step is important.

Definition

Possible source to site: Collins “good to great”, Posner and Kouzes Five Practices of Exemplary Leaders, Dr. Gregory 650 Course. I. There has been much studied about excellent leadership practices throughout the course of history. A. Within education, the principal has the primary role of the school to build climate and trust among teachers and staff. B. Within education reform, innovation and change are leading forces to improve education. C. In their book, the five practices of exemplary leaders, Posner and Kouzes present a model for leaders to establish a strong culture and encourage opportunities for reform. II. The first practice is model the way. A. To model the way means to be leader who does what they say they will do when they say they will do it. B. This is important because a leader needs to have credibility. III. The second practice is to Inspire a shared vision. A. In order to create a school climate that encourages change and innovation, people need to feel connected and that what they are working towards is on the same page as those around them. IV. The third practice is to challenge the process. A. Often times in education, reverting back to what is safe or “normal” creates instances of bad practices or worn-out ideas. B. Allow others to feel safe challenging the process to create change. V. The fourth practice of exemplary leaders is enable others to act A. A leader can not do everything on their own. B. Leaders must delegate and set up successful systems for having others step up to take leadership opportunities. VI. The final practice of exemplary leaders is to encourage the heart. A. Team members need to feel valued and trusted. VII. These five practices will work to get a team invested in a leader, inspired by a vision, working towards change, and feeling trusted.

Term

The board has requested that several of the school principals in the district prepare position papers dealing with the duties and responsibilities of a principal. You have been given the topic: “The role of the principal in enhancing the instructional process.”

Definition

Possible Sources to Site: Dufor and Eaker, Professional Learning Communities, Posner and Kouzes “Five Practices of Exemplary Leaders” Professor Garcia, Curriculum and Supervision of Instruction. I. Historically, the role of the principal in schools has been as an operational and personnel manager. A. With the current state of schools and the need for higher level of accountability and reform, school models are changing to a principal who is an instructional leader within the school. II. The principal has the primary responsibility of enhancing the instructional process. A. The first major role is to determine the needs and fit of teachers for the school; strong hiring must be the top priority to build a strong school and promote a culture of high level instruction. B. The next major role is to identify instructional goals for the school and to provide support to teachers for implementing these goals. C. A principal has the responsibility of setting up systems of support for teachers through coaches, professional development, and mentoring. III. There are multiple models for supporting curriculum implementation and supervision. A. A common thread in all of the models is a principal who is constantly in classrooms and is aware of what is going on to make strong decisions based on what is best for students.

Term

You have been appointed principal of a new school in the district. At least half the staff will be new to the district. Describe what steps you would take to insure a climate that would permit and encourage innovation on the part of the staff as individuals and as a staff.

Definition

Term

The high school of which you are a principal will soon be visited by WASC. The local newspaper editor has called and indicated that she feels that the community knows very little about this undertaking and has requested that you prepare an article for publication which would explain the purpose and procedures of the accreditation.

Definition

WASC=Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This commission works to accredit schools such that colleges recognized diplomas from the school. The school grants accreditation to schools based on the presumption that the primary goals are: Certification to the public that the school is a trustworthy institution of learning. The improvement of the school’s programs and operations to support student learning. The school is substantially accomplishing its stated purposes and functions identified as appropriate for an institution of its type. The school is meeting acceptable levels of quality in accordance with the WASC criteria adopted by the accrediting commission. Procedures: 1. School completed documentation and application. 2. Initial accreditation for schools that meet criteria for full accreditation and have a history of a high quality program. 3. Candidacy is a status of affiliation indication that an institution has achieved initial recognition and is progressing toward, but does not yet assume, a accreditation. 4. Denial may result is the school does not fully meet WASC criteria. WASC is looking for criteria in five categories. The categories are: Organization Standards-based student learning in: Curriculum Instruction Assessment and Accountability School culture and support for student personal and academic growth. Essentially, WASC determines if a school is functioning correctly and providing students with a quality education.

Term

2.8 Discuss the arguments for and against national/federal standards

Definition

Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers, has come out in favor of national education standards. She declared that “Abundant evidence suggests that common, rigorous standards lead to more students reaching higher levels of achievement.” She decried “the uneven patchwork of academic standards for students” across America, and asked, “Should fate, as determined by a student's Zip code, dictate how much algebra he or she is taught?” For years many education reformers have argued for national education standards and tests. They have warned against allowing the states to continue to craft their own yardsticks for academic achievement. Regrettably, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) failed to do the former and permitted this latter practice to continue. NCLB established a fantastically complex metric, adequate yearly progress (AYP), to measure schools’ academics. Put crudely, AYP measures the annual growth in the percentage of a school’s students who score at or above the state standard for competency in a subject area. Though well intended, this policy rewards perverse behavior. States’ can set low academic standards and then progressively water down their tests’ rigor so that more and more kids pass them each year. To create these standards, many have suggested that “a broad-based group --- made up of educators, elected officials, community leaders, and experts in pedagogy and particular content --- come together to take the best academic standards and make them available as a national model. Here is a simple breakdown The Pros and Cons of National Standards In recent years, there has been an ongoing debate in education circles about the value of having a national set of standards that all schools throughout the country would use. Here are the arguments in a nutshell, pro and con: The Pros National standards would raise the level of expectations for all. If all schools across the country had the same standards, all students would be expected to achieve at the same level, no matter what state they live in. If students in Mississippi were required to know the same things as students in New York, for example, they would be prepared to attend universities throughout the country. National standards would assure that all American students meet international levels of achievement. We know that American students fall behind in math and science compared to their peers in other countries. With national standards, it would be clear what students need to know to compete internationally. National standards would make it easier for students to adjust to a new school when they move from one state to another. In an increasingly mobile population, it would be easier for students who currently face differing standards and different tests in each state. The Cons Education has traditionally been a right of the states. The United States has a long history of "local control" of schools that would be hard to change. The federal government or a federal agency should not dictate education in each state. National standards would create a one-size-fits-all framework. The needs within each state are different. National standards would not take into account the cultural and geographical diversity of our country. National standards would discourage innovation and creativity in the classroom. Too much similarity could lead to tightly prescribed curriculum in every classroom. What's the Connection Between Standards and the No Child Left Behind Law? The drive to create state standards and tests was pushed in part by the passage of the No Child Left Behind federal law in 2002. The law requires each state to set standards for curriculum in reading, math and science. Students must be tested annually in reading, math and science in grades 3 through 8, and at least once in grades 10 through 12. All groups of students, including economically disadvantaged and special needs students, must show evidence of academic progress, otherwise the school gets penalized and parents have the right to choose another school or receive free tutoring. Critics of the law say it did not go far enough because it allowed each state to set its own standards. This created a system where some states have tougher standards than others. States can make tests easier so that more students can meet proficiency standards. Critics argue that this is exactly what has happened in some cases. Supporters of the law say that it has caused schools to pay significant attention to the lowest achieving students and to raising the bar for all students. Test scores, for the most part, are improving and students are learning.

Term

List several rather specific practices or activities of classroom teachers that tend to contribute to their teaching effectiveness. Discuss in detail any two of these practices, and explain why they are so effective.

Definition

Small Group and Cooperative Learning: 1 Establish heterogeneous groups. 2 Establish group size. 3 Designate group work areas. 4 Designate specific responsibilities to group members. 5 Provide clear directions, time constraints, rules, procedures. 6 Provide necessary materials. 7 Establish leader selection process. 8 Minimize exchanges of information between groups. 9 Watch for conflict. 10 Encourage and praise group support. Direct Instruction 1. Specify clear lesson objectives 2. Teach directly to those objectives 3. Make learning as concrete and meaningful as possible 4. Provide relevant guided practice 5. Provide independent practice 6. Provide transfer practice activities Other Strategies Incorporate Thinking Maps Encourage Active learning Prompt feedback Communicate high expectations with rubric Move from simple to complex Accommodate learning styles (Differentiated Instruction)

Term

IDEA (Previously Public Law 94-142) continues to have a tremendous impact on public education. Discuss four of the major features of this bill.

Definition

Public Law 94-142 (Education of All Handicapped Children Act)
In 1975, Congress passed Public Law 94-142 (Education of All Handicapped Children Act), now codified as IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). In order to receive federal funds, states must develop and implement policies that assure a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities. The state plans must be consistent with the federal statute, Title 20 United States Code Section 1400 et.seq.
Four Purposes of PL 94-142
"to assure that all children with disabilities have available to them…a free appropriate public education which emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs"
"to assure that the rights of children with disabilities and their parents…are protected"
"to assist States and localities to provide for the education of all children with disabilities"
"to assess and assure the effectiveness of efforts to educate all children with disabilities"
For children 6 to 17, the law specifies that states and local school districts must:
Make every reasonable effort to locate handicapped children and give first priority to the most severely disabled.
Evaluate the learning needs of each child, in consultation with parents and special education advisors, and develop and individual education program to meet these needs
Place these children in the least restricted environment as possible
Periodically evaluate the child’s progress and make changes as needed

Term

Much has been written about mission statements of organizations, and you have learned the importance of a “shared vision” for your school. As the new principal of your school, present how you would develop such a statement and what you would need to do to ensure that it relates to the shared vision.

Definition

Schools are likely to be more successful in achieving in-depth learning when leaders work with staff and the community to build a collective educational vision that is clear, compelling, and connected to teaching and learning. This collective vision helps focus attention on what is important, motivates staff and students, and increases the sense of shared responsibility for student learning.
Schools are complex places, and teaching is a difficult and challenging job. Many schools do not have a clear and shared sense of purpose focused on student learning. Yet, without it, programs become fragmented, teachers lose motivation, and improvement efforts fail. Without a clear notion of what is important, work can become dissipated and undirected. Without a clear sense of direction, planning and decision making about programs, curricula, and instruction can remain uncoordinated.
Schools with educational missions give educators stronger motivation and provide parents with a clearer picture of what the school values. A clear vision and a common mission that identify the kind of learning to be achieved can help keep the school and the efforts of its staff and students on target.
School leaders should develop a clear, educationally focused vision and a well-defined mission statement, collaborating with school staff and community members to agree on the type of learning, beliefs, and goals that are important. A vision means an image of what the school can and should become. It is deeply embedded in values, hopes, and dreams. A mission statement is more specific and often defines what the school is trying to accomplish and for whom. It can be developed from the vision itself. Goals and objectives are still more specific and concrete, are derived from the vision, and can be used to focus change and improvement efforts.
Leaders should help develop a mission that is centered on student learning. The school mission should concentrate on key areas of high- quality student learning. But it also can concentrate on establishing a professional work environment that supports collegiality, improvement and profession growth, and an understanding of the importance of diversity
The school's vision also can incorporate values and goals related to equity and justice, respect and appreciation for multiculturalism and diversity, and concern for the academic success of all students. These views of the school determine how people spend their time, what problems they solve, and how resources are distributed. Moreover, a clear understanding of the school's vision and mission statement may lead to greater parent and community support. Thus, having a clearly defined and communicated vision supports active improvement and accomplishment.

Term

Describe the methods and procedures you would employ, as a college administrator, to assess the quality of leadership within the school.

Definition

Mid quarter and end of quarter teacher evaluations
Suggestion/Comment box for all staff members
Observation of school environment
Evaluation of data for enrollment

Term

List and describe 3 sources of conflict in an organization and tell what the supervisor can do to reduce each.

Definition

1)Structural conflict: lack of clear leadership roles defined
organization lacks ability to define roles and appoint duties to their roles, resulting in productivity being low
people do not know who to turn to for support, blame others when organization fails
a sense of lack of assuredness leads employees to not work at their best capability
what supervisors can do:
promote shared sense of responsibility by defining roles and duties
clearly state expectations
ask for constructive feedback to assess progress toward projects, are all involved feeling supported, have adequate resources

2) Interpersonal differences
-personal or stylistic differences between employees
-intolerance for diversity
-differences in values/purposes
-what supervisors can do:
-promote a positive, working climate
-remind stakeholders to stay focused on the goal
-promote collaboration and celebrate successes of staff

3) Lack of clear, consistent communication
-miscommunication keeps the organization from succeeding
-lack of open communication between employees and supervisors keep the organization from working forward toward the goal
-employees do not feel kept up-to-date with relevant information, expected to produce outcomes without proper notice
-overall climate shifts to frustration
-what supervisors can do:
-make themselves accessible at all times
-be willing to listen to all parties
let others to make suggestions to projects
-provide communication in paper, via emails, face-to-face, at weekly meetings
-be organized in presenting ideas and reasonable in stating expectations

Term

Legislation has recently been introduced in the California Legislature that would make a fine and/or imprisonment mandatory for any student assault on a teacher. Discuss the pros and cons of such a law.

Definition

Pros
-students are aware of consequences and sends clear message to students that if found guilty they could be convicted and sentenced to imprisonment or paying a fine
-if a minor, parents are held accountable
-sends strong message to school and local community that it is not tolerated
-courts must balance students’ constitutional rights against the duty of public school officials to maintain an appropriate environment for learning and safety

Cons
-students may think their assault is worth the fine, how do we apply value towards physical assaults/threats
-what is the support for the teacher...after the sentence does the student return to the classroom with the assaulted teacher?
-after the sentencing, what kind of corrective rehabilitation will be in place with the jail time or monetary sentence....what will be done to prevent this act from happening again?

Term

Many schools face sanctions from No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Discuss two components of this program and how an administrator might respond in affecting change.

Definition

-NCLB: reauthorized a number of federal programs aiming to improve the performance of U.S. primary and secondary schools by increasing the standards of accountability for states, school districts and schools, as well as providing parents more flexibility in choosing which schools their children will attend. Additionally, it promoted an increased focus on reading and reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 1965 (ESEA)

-key components: standards, assessments, accountability, and teacher quality

component 1: Standards
- according to information from the Department of Education, states are required to have assessments that align with their standards.
-administrators need to make sure teachers are providing standards-based instructions with all the curriculum
-schools should provide parents with the standards their children are expected to learn throughout the course of the school year
-students should be given objectives that outline the standard in which they are engaged in during the lesson
-annual assessments are based on the grade level standards

component 2: teacher quality
-teachers must be “highly qualified” to teach core academic subjects
-principals must implement effective professional development practices in order to better support teachers in their teaching practices-areas included are math, science, and reading
-consistent, on-going, effective assessments of staff is crucial
-administrators need to be available to support staff with various concerns/issues
-to ensure quality, all teachers should be provided with mentors/partners to effectively promote collaboration and staff support
-practice effective interviewing practices to ensure the hiring of true, highly qualified candidates

Term

4-6 You have recently been appointed to the position of Dean (indicate the are). Describe the steps you would take to insure maximum participation of your staff in the decision making process.
4-8 One of the main responsibilities of a college administrator is to obtain maximum results from group effort. Describe several of the most significant requirements for effective group participation.

Definition

**THESE QUESTIONS ARE VERY SIMILAR...SO SAME RESPONSE FOR BOTH
Source: Posner, Kouzes

-implement the 5 practices of exemplary leadership

1) Model the way
-find your voice: requires clarifying values and expressing yourself
-clarify your values: need values to guide actions and decisions, you can’t believe in the messenger if you don’t know what the messenger believes
-clarity of values will give you great confidence in finding your authentic, true voice
2) Inspire a shared visions
-discover a them and imagine possibilities
-listen deeply to others, discover and appeal to a common purpose, give life to the vision by communicating expressively (interpreting the vision)
3) Challenge the process
-leaders calculate the risk/failure and proceed
- search for opportunities: seize the initiative, make challenge meaningful innovate and create, look outward for fresh ideas
-experiment and take risks: learn from mistakes, promote psychological hardiness
-make it safe to experiment, give people choices, conduct pre and post assessments for every project
4) Enable others to act
-leadership is a team effort, need to foster collaboration and trust
-essentials of fostering collaboration: create a climate of trust, facilitate positive interdependence, support face-to-face interactions
-Covey: trust is glue of relationships, improves happiness and attitude
-trusting leaders are open to alternative viewpoints
-leaders must foster a sense of mutual benefit: tasks are structured so each person makes a contribution to the end product/result
-strengthen others: ensure self leadership, provide choice, develop competence and confidence, foster accountability
5) Encourage the heart
-accomplish through recognizing contributions: focus on clear standards, expect the best, pay attention; celebrating the values and victories: create a spirit of community, tell a story, set the example
-examples at schools: set up bragging board, schedule celebrations, create a commemorative award honoring exemplary actions

Term

Essay Topic 2-5 ( Principles and Practices of Curriculum, Instruction, and Supervision).

Name and discuss three forces/agencies, external to the local schools that are currently contributing to the initiation of curriculum change in California.

Definition

An initiation of curriculum change has a major impact on student achievement. In California, three forces/agencies to the local school that are currently contributing to this initiation are the state legislature, No Child Left Behind Act, and scripted curriculum such as High Point and Developing Readers and Writers Curriculum (DRWC).
Serrano v. Priest had a major role in shifting financial control from local school districts to the state. Because of the financial shift, curriculum also became a part of the state’s control. Contrary to popular belief, local schools and school districts do not have control in changing or altering school-wide curriculum. The state, in following education codes and federal regulations, establishes curriculum by which all districts follow and implement. The districts will set parameters of accountability and will be responsible for full transition and implementation of particular curriculum.
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 attempts to eliminate educational inequity by ensuring curriculum is standards based, accountability measures exist around personnel and teacher certification. As a result of this legislation, states receive federal money in order to establish resources that will meet the terms and guidelines of No Child Left Behind. Today, schools establish pacing plans that reflect units and objectives derived from state standards. In addition to teacher generated assessments, there are periodic assessments which serve as benchmarks and indicators of success and areas for growth in preparation for the California Standardized Test.
Scripted curriculum is a third force that contributes to the overall initiation of curriculum change in California. Teachers who teach ESL are not only responsible for moving their students so that they can be successful in their core English courses, but also acquire the basic skills in English. There is not much room when delivering lessons that are derived from scripted curriculum.
The state of California, through legislative mandated curriculum, No Child Left Behind Act and scripted programs imposes curricular accountability for all schools and act as three forces to local schools contributing to the imitation of curriculum change.

Term

School-based Management has been implemented by some major school districts and is being considered for implementation by other school districts. List three (3) disadvantages of school-based management.

Definition

School-based Management is a form of giving schools autonomy and personalized voice based on a school’s vision and mission. With this independence come potential pitfalls or disadvantages. Three disadvantages of school-based management is top-down leadership, lack of support from local district offices and outside agencies, and a narrow view of student achievement.
Although, School-based Management has the potential to influence and motivate all stakeholders to impact student achievement at a grand scale, this key step or skill may be overlooked when establishing this type of school reorganization. Top down reform is a major concern for many educators when school-wide mandates around curriculum, supervision, discipline, parent involvement, and culture exist. Without investment from key stakeholders, school-wide structure or procedures for whole school commitment, a school climate that is directed by school leaders governs the reform effort.
When schools are given majority control and independence, there is an effort of decentralization where school sites are left to make critical decisions and make important decisions with a lack of specific guidance from district leadership or other colleagues at other school sites. This may create difficulties in understanding the proper channels…
Districts provide student achievement data that is comprehensive and includes neighboring schools as a form to track growth and overall decision making. Schools that operate on their own lack a few of the resources to acquire such information; thereby making critical decision.
There are many advantages to School-based Management with regards to improving student achievement. With those advantages come disadvantages such as top-down leadership, lack of support from local district offices, and a narrow view of student achievement that may hinder a school from moving forward.

Term

The increase in required courses mandated by changes in the state law and college entrance requirements have seriously decreased the opportunity for students to enroll in elective courses. Cite several arguments for and several arguments against the increase in required courses.

Definition

Possible sources to site:

Many state laws and college entrance requirements have impeded districts from enrolling students in elective courses

Several arguments for…
Additional AP courses for advanced grade levels
Equitable opportunities for CST/College entrance exams

Several arguments against…
Students lack of a “well rounded” education
Cuts in programs will create wider gap for minorities and disadvantaged students…students are already at a disadvantage with math and literacy levels behind in grade level…a few electives provide reasons for students to attend school in addition to overall instructional program

Term

The president of your college or university has decided that each major division should have an “Advisory Committee” made up of faculty, students, alumni, and community members. Describe four precautions that you, as a division head, would take with the establishment of this committee.

Definition

As a division head, it is a top priority to invest all major stakeholders in our division by creating channels of communication, accountability and overall autonomy. My next step in establishing an advisory committee for my division would be to closely survey and triangulate data in order to make informed decisions and next steps. As I move forward, the four precautions that I would closely monitor in the establishment of my division’s Advisory Committee are ensuring a common vision, established norms and regulations, structured communication, and follow-through.
Ensuring a common vision would keep every stakeholder, regardless of background and experience, centered and focused on our division’s specific outcome. In addition, a vision that integrates the overall university vision; yet, establishes personalized commitment…Celebrating individual strengths are areas for growth…delegates responsibility for overall accountability and investment.
Once vision and trajectory has been shared and established, a set of norms of conduct must be established and carefully monitored. Norms easily lose their spirit when not followed through. Norms will remind members to remain focused on vision and goal…norms will create a sense of urgency and will allow for team members to hold each other accountable…provide commendations and recommendations for future meetings and work.
Communication is key for teams to work collaboratively and in partnership. It allows for professional feedback to exist in addition to next steps. Effective communication from all stakeholders would be key to monitor in order to ensure all members share the same vision along the way and are given adequate support in necessary.
In order to build and sustain the investment of faculty, students, alumni and community members, it will be important act on all concerns, action steps and proposals with a sense of urgency and focus. The advisory’s self-efficacy is critical in moving forward with the divisions overall vision and goal…as a division head it will be important to follow-through on all meeting next steps in order to build trust and critical relationships in moving forward.

Term

A supervisor can facilitate effective communication. Discuss three (3) of the skills necessary to facilitate effective communication.

Definition

Listen Carefully: Truly effective communication goes both ways. While it might be difficult, try really listening to what your coworkers are saying. Don’t interrupt. Having the ability to listen can go a long way. By listening you’ll understand them better and they’ll be more willing to listen to you.
Try To See Things from different Points of View: As a person in a supervisory role you must develop the ability to see things from different points of views. Try to really see the other side, and then you can better explain yours. We talk a lot about our point of view to get the other person to see things our way. Ironically, if we all do this all the time, there’s little focus on the other person’s point of view, and nobody feels understood.
Trust: This is by far the most important aspect of effective communication. If people do not trust the messenger they will not believe the message. Ability to develop trust among stakeholder is essential in the success of any institution.

Term

Katz, and several other writers in the field, has suggested that the school administrator should process considerable skills in echo of three general categories--human skills, technical skills, and conceptual skills. For each of these categories, discuss briefly three tasks of the principal that demand expertise in the specific skill (i.e., three human, three technical, and three conceptual).

Definition

I. Human skills
(Establishing Relationships… Results come from an intimate and supportive relationship – a relationship based on mutual participation - Kouzer & Posner)

Establishing an Open Door Policy supports face-to-face interactions creating a climate of trust, facilitates positive interdependence, and creates an avenue in which instructional feedback can occur.

Enlisting others in a common Vision ensures greater buy-in and collaboration by appealing to shared aspirations.

Fostering collaboration by seeking active involvement and the support of all stakeholders.

II. Technical skills

Conducting Data Analysis is crucial in assessing the needs of students and in properly allocating the funds to serve the specific needs which will result in greater student achievement.

Facilitating Meetings is a daily skill necessary for any administrator who seeks to effectively communicate and seeks collaboration of all stakeholders.

Master Calendar knowledge is essential to proper curriculum implementation and curriculum improvement. Without a proper structure in place and an ongoing assessment of the programs the academic success of our students will suffer.

III. Conceptual skills (Select Three)

Ensuring a Positive School Culture – Facilitates the set-up of committees for assessing the current school culture and for ensuring a positive school culture is maintained--- which embraces all its members.
Creating School Vision – Facilitates the creation of a school vision which embraces all its members and enlists all members to collaborate and participate.
Implementing a School Safety Plan – Communicates on a regular basis with a school safety committee to ensure there is a school safety plan and that it is implemented.
Retaining Teachers – Provides quality instructional coaches & new teacher coordinator.
Improving Student achievement – Conducts school wide data analysis.
Having Content/Pedagogy Knowledge – Conducts classroom observations with post observation debrief & feedback.
Delivering Up-to-date Educational Research – Facilitates and approves professional growth through trainings and conferences.
Technology Innovation – Leads the way for technological innovation in the classroom and school campus. For example, communicating via a system by which the principal can send a live/or recorded visual message to each classroom.

Term

List and describe 3 sources of conflict in an organization and tell what the supervisor can do to reduce each.

Definition

Term

Definition

Possible source to site: Dr. Clarke in the simulation class???

I. Introduction: One of the most important skills an administrator can have is the ability to quickly process information and make decisions.
A. On a daily basis, administrators must have the ability to make decisions in a split second.
B. At any given moment, a problem may arise with a student, a parent, or even a teacher that requires an administrator to make an important decision.
C. This decision is often made in a split second, but successful administrators are able to first identify a problem or issue, gather as much information on the issue, process the information into identified pros and cons and then make an action oriented decision.
II. The first step of the decision making process is to identify the issue.
A. In some cases, the issue may be public and obvious, such as a parent complaining to others in the middle of the hallway.
B. In other cases, the issue may be hidden and need to be uncovered by the administrator, such as a teacher who is struggling with lesson planning in the classroom.
C. Successful administrators are able to observe and note instances of problem and drill down to the root of the problem.
III. The next step in the decision making process is to be able to identify all areas of the problem.
A. Successful administrators gather as many perspectives and as much information on an issue as possible.
B. Gathering information and seeing the issue from other perspectives allows administrators to make judgments that are not steeped in bias.
C. Once the information is gathered, the administrator needs to cognitively process the information.
IV. The final step in the thinking process during decision making is for the administrator to weigh the options possible.
A. In some cases, this may mean doing something that is uncomfortable but necessary for legal or personnel reasons.
B. Successful administrators are principle driven, making decisions that weigh the options, yet are centered around students and student learning.
V. Finally, the decision making process leads to a conscious decision to either take action or purposefully not need to take action.
VI. At the end of some decisions, it may be necessary for the parties involved to evaluate the decision and the decision making process.
A. Successful administrators are able to learn from their previous mistakes and successes and reflect on how to improve.

Term

Alternative schools are developing in many districts across the country. Give a definition of an alternative school tell why they have come into existence, how they are evaluated and speculate upon their future development either within or outside of the prevailing school system.

Definition

An example of an alternative school is a Charter School, a public school that has local governance. Charter schools are nonsectarian public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. Charter schools came into existence in order to provide students with adequate education. Charter school organizations operate under a written contract with a local public district. Charter schools are regulated by the local school district in which they operate under. In Los Angeles Unified School District for example, charter schools are granted approval by the Board of education for a period of three to five years. They are held to higher standards than regular public schools. Charter schools are open to any child who wishes to attend and enrollment is conducted by lottery. Charter school are here to stay.

Term

It is commonly expressed opinion that the “image” of the public school has become “tarnished in recent years. (A.) List what you consider to be the three greatest causes of this decline in public esteem, and (B.) Briefly discuss what you, as a principal, would propose to reverse this trend and enhance the prestige of your community’s schools.

Definition

Possible sources to site: Constantino- Engaging All Families, Don Bagin & Donald Gallagher- The School and Community Relations

I. Introduction: Three of the greatest causes of the decline of public school image
Pick 3
a. Low or declining Achievement / Test scores
b. Lack of Safety
c. Poor Facilities
d. Media –lack confidence in institution public education
II, III and IV
As a principal I would do (use 3) to enhance the prestige of the school.
In order to
a. Increase achievement/ test scores- introduce data driven programs and get by in from staff. Get parents involved in decision process/ educate/ communicate Use programs that get students excited about learning.
b. Improve Safety- Create committee to come up with safety plan, Partner with agencies that can provide resources and promote safety (ex. City attorney, local police dept) Involve community/ local business, neighborhood families can contribute to making area safer.
c. Improve Facilities- Organize group of community members (teachers, students, families) to look for funds to improve school (grants etc.) School policy that maintaining school priority (no graffiti, trash) when problems arise fixed right away.
d. Good media coverage- Begin building positive relationship with media, Give media information that highlights improvements Always be prepared to address media (know what you will say), get all pertinent information before speaking doubts about what to say talk to legal.
V. Conclusion
If these things are done (state 3) the school’s image can improve. This positive change will attract more community families back to the school. As the population grows the school can continue to bring new innovative programs that will help the school grow and enhance the image.

Term

Identify and discuss in some detail six principles of an effective school community relations program.

Definition

Building better school/community relationships is vital to the success of our schools. We must understand the importance of public support. Reaching out to the community in their native language
1. Work with and through parents and families to support children’s learning and development.
2. Know the importance of establishing and maintaining a positive and collaborative relationships with families to promote academic, social, and emotional growth of children.
3. Foster relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support school learning and well being.
4. Provide a responsibive, community based support system for collective action among all educational and community agencies to address both the community quality of life issues and special needs.
5. Propegate communication between home and school that is regular, two-way, and
6. Develop educational partnership between schools and public and private providers, business and industry, civic and social service organizations

Term

List and discuss what you to be the three most cogent arguments in favor of district-wide testing for minimum competencies’ and (b) Why it is important?

Definition

1.      School accountability-Ensure that schools performing successfully. I
2.      Assist school board in figuring out new ways to provide students with more beneficial lessons and learning opportunities.
3.      Teacher accountability
Why is it important?
NCLB compliance (funding)
Competent workforce

Term

Briefly discuss several of the most prominent arguments advanced (a) in support of collective bargaining for public employees and (b) in opposition to such bargaining.

Definition

Pros: Negotiates wages, working conditions, hours, leaves of absences, vacation time, protects against ill prepared administrators, an agreement between employer & employee,

Cons: your beliefs aren’t align with that of the union (some teachers are willing to have furlough days, but union says not an option), dues to pay, a division is created between colleagues, time consuming if there is no agreement between district & union, union represents even those who do not pay, “bad” tchrs are protected

*I could not find the book that we used in Dr. Gregory’s class but I do know that it mentioned advantages and disadvantages for collective bargaining-School Personnel Administration: A California Perspective by A. Townley, J. Schmieder, & L. Wehmeyer

Term

Arguments are frequently advanced that teacher tenure should be abolished now that teachers are protected by strong unions and collective bargaining agreements. Choose one side of this issue and draft a statement supporting your point of view.

Definition

Possible sources to site, Townley, School Personnel administrations
I Introduction- Choose Pro or Con
II, III, IV
Pro- do more details/ elaborate on bullet pts
1. job security
2. protects unwarranted dismissals
3. Selection process of teachers-helping families
4. Academic freedom
Cons
1. Incompetent or undesirable teachers may be retained
2. Difficult to supervise some teachers who know they have job security
3. Increased teacher turnover
4. Not protected by law in any other profession
5. Public questions the practice of tenure when incompetent teaches still have jobs.
6. Competent teachers don’t need protection by tenure.
Conclusion restates and emphasize point of view.

Term

The current public clamor for “higher standards” has led numerous boards of education to consider mandating a “C” average for graduation fro high school. The superintendent has asked principals to provide a report with pros and cons of such a move. Discuss the point you will discuss with the superintendent.

Definition

Increasing expectations of students also increases the expectations of the teachers and the school.
Lower expectations and diminished standards will prevent students from succeeding and being motivated to do well.
While increased expectations may motivate some students, it may discourage others.
Does not take into consideration students with disabilities.
Fewer students will graduate.

Term

Concerns:
A.)     Aides need be under the immediate supervision and direction of certificated personnel.
B.)     Union and certificated contracts state that aides are not to instruct the class but assist the instructor
C.)     Instructional aides and non-certificated lack training in district curriculum programs.

Definition

Steps to alleviate concerns:
According to the Education Code 88243, an instructional aide is”a person employed to assist classroom instructors and other faculty in the performance of their duties and in the supervision of students and instructional tasks which, in the judgment of the faculty to whom the instructional aide is assigned, may be performed by a person not qualified as a classroom instructor.”
The principal can take the following steps to alleviate concerns:
1.) Place additional aides in the classroom
2.) The principal will also consider the greatest benefit to students based on factors as class size, grade levels, student needs, subject matter and teacher workload.
3.) Teachers will receive training in how to collaborate effectively with assistants and are expected to assign duties with a clear definition of his/her roles and responsibilities assisting the teacher in class
4.) Aides will receive training in district curriculum and ongoing support and regular performance assessments.
5.) These steps may encourage aides to pursue opportunities that lead to attainment of a teaching credential and enable them to increase their skills and experience in the classroom.

Term

With the shortage of funds, some districts have started educational foundations where citizens of the community can donate tax-exempt gifts to the schools. State the arguments for or against such a foundation being started in the school district where you are the principal.

Definition

Pros: more resources will be coming into the school, increased community involvement, partnerships will be built with both public and private organizations, open two-way communication will be practiced, programs to help children with literacy or math will be available, shared vision among stakeholders, welcoming environment

Cons: low income areas will not benefit, those donating might feel that they are exempt from certain requirement or they might feel that they don’t have to “follow the rules” or that the “rules don’t apply to them”, who will be responsible for the donations or who will the contact person be at the site, members of the foundation might not agree with the vision of the school

Term

Definition

Term

Definition

-Source: LaMorte
Pros
-students are aware of consequences and sends clear message to students that if found guilty they could be convicted and sentenced to imprisonment or paying a fine
-if a minor, parents are held accountable
-sends strong message to school and local community that it is not tolerated
-courts must balance students’ constitutional rights against the duty of public school officials to maintain an appropriate environment for learning and safety

Cons
-students may think their assault is worth the fine, how do we apply value towards physical assaults/threats
-what is the support for the teacher...after the sentence does the student return to the classroom with the assaulted teacher?
-after the sentencing, what kind of corrective rehabilitation will be in place with the jail time or monetary sentence....what will be done to prevent this act from happening again?

Term

When gang activity develops at a school, the principal must address the problem. The principal should collaborate with the students, staff, parents, police and community. A plan should be decided upon and executed. Finally, the principal should assess and celebrate the plan’s successfulness.

Definition

Two-way communication is very important. The school can inform its stakeholders and possibly receive information about gang activity. The principal should call an emergency meeting with the school staff and faculty to discuss the incidents. Individual students should also be called in to speak with a counselor about what is happening in their neighborhoods. Teachers can also discuss events with the students. Parents should be notified of gang activity by a phone blast and/or parent meeting. This may be alarming but it creates an avenue to discover information about the gang activity.
Information about the causes of the disruption and its participants can be forwarded to the school police or local police. The school can work with the police or create its own anti-gang plan. Ideas for preventing fights, graffiti, etc. include posters, graffiti clean-up, uniform enforcement, and counseling for affected students. There should also be anti-gang informational assemblies and consequences for on-campus gang activity. This plan could also involve contact with other schools in the area and community groups.
The plan that is created by the campus community should also include a timeline for assessment of success. After 3 months, for example, the principal could call the police department to see if gang activity has decreased. All aspects of the plan should be reviewed and adjusted. The school community should also be celebrated for its work with stickers or a fun assembly. Since gang activity will not dissipate over night, the principal must ensure this plan as an on-going effort to last for a few years.

Term

As a site administrator you are asked by the superintendent to present the advantages and disadvantages of the school of choice proposal at a future Board of Education meeting. Provide the process you would follow to prepare and the report as requested by the superintendent.

Definition

I would research education journals and contact universities that have conducted research on school choice measures. I would interview, teachers, parents, students, and other stakeholders regarding the issue of school choice. The report would consist of data that shows which states have exercised the school choice option and its ramifications.
O'Neill cites the reasons people favor school choice:
* Choice offers a way out of a low performing school.
* Choice supports educational innovation because it supports alternatives to the traditional school day.
* School choice can match child and parent needs thus parents will be involved and more committed to the school.
There are also disadvantages, which O'Neill sites as:
* Schools of choice create inequities by taking the more desirable students.
* Students in schools of choice have fewer opportunities to learn from students of different backgrounds.
* School choice changes the focus from education for the public good to education for the private good. Education is no longer being seen as providing "some common experiences in common settings." Will those without children in schools continue to support education in light of this change?
Implications:
We must pay attention to what is happening in charter schools, for the formation of charter schools sends a loud message that public schools are not meeting the needs of all of our students. We must examine what those needs are and how public schools can do a better job of meeting those needs. Public school educators must attend to this task before charter schools turn into vouchers for private schools.
O'Neil, J. (1996). New Options, Old Concerns.Educational Leadership, 54, 6-8.
Opponents to the measure argue that "choice" will lead to the abandonment of our public schools with many parents choosing private over public education. They further contend that education tax dollars belong to the State and should not be spent at the discretion of parents. The issue of the separation of church and state along with the argument that state funds should not be given to religious institutions also comes into play.
The opponents further question the quality of education in private schools which are not regulated by the State. Schools in which teachers may not be credentialed and curriculum varies from school to school. They believe that the implementation of a school voucher system on a large scale will take away crucial dollars from schools which are already in desperate need of funding. They further caution that although the evidence of the use of school vouchers is promising, it is also limited. Institution of a statewide or nationwide voucher system would not be prudent since it is too early to tell if the voucher system will be successful on such a large scale.
http://www.essortment.com/all/schoolvoucherd_rrmr.htm

Term

The Board of Education has asked that the district revise and update the Student Discipline Policy. Discuss steps you, as the staff person in charge of this rewriting project, would take in the completion of this change.

Definition

*As the person in charge of the project to revise and update the Student Discipline Policy, my first priority would be to make sure I had all the key players involved. Representation from:
-General Ed Teachers
- Special Ed Teachers
- Certificated staff with expertise in Culturally Relevant and Responsive Education
-Classified Staff (especially yard supervisors)
- Administration (especially those who deal mostly with discipline: deans, A.P.s)
- Counselors
*My first step would be to brainstorm what is working and what is not working. Where are the holes in the current discipline plan? Can they be repaired or does the plan need to be completely restructured.
*The next step would be to observe student behavior in the affected areas or areas of concern.
- Classroom
-Playground
-cafeteria
-Hallways
-Lunch line
-Arrival
-Dismissal
*Again, we would need to brainstorm ideas on how to deal with the behavior of concern. Can we be proactive? Rearrange supervision? Have something for the children to do in the morning (i.e. walk the track)? Implement a specific procedure (i.e. drop and freeze at the recess bell)?
*Next, the staff would need to implement and evaluate the new policy/procedures; see what works and make adjustments as needed. The group would need to come back together after some time has passed and evaluate the progress of their plan.
*Lastly, the plan should be written up and presented to the Board.

Term

Vandalism has become a significant problem in the district with several instances of damaged classrooms and significant financial losses sustained. Indicate some steps you as the principal of the district, might take in response to this problem.

Definition

Possible sources to site: Professor Gregory –Kouzes Posner Leadership the Challenge

I Introduction: Vandalism continues to plague our schools, that are unfortunately already on tight budgets. As a principal and leader of the school, I might not be able to stop vandalism from occurring, however there are measures that can be taken to protect school property and deal with individuals who damage it. First three steps I would take would be
Choose 3
a. Collaborate with local police, community, staff and students to deal with the problem
b. Develop procedures/ consequences related to student initiated vandalism at the school
c. Increase security

II Collaborate with local police, community, staff and students to deal with the problem
Partner with local police, request patrols of school during school and non-school hours,
Invite community members to participate in keeping neighborhood safe (Neighborhood watch), reporting crimes to local police,
Staff monitor hallways and directing students to class during school day, reporting incidents to administration immediately
Build school pride, assemblies, introduce anonymous tipping

III Develop procedures/ consequences related to student initiated vandalism at the school
Form committee, come up with action plan (define, compensation, actions taken against vandal) share with staff
Introduce procedures and consequences to families and students – assemblies, back to school night etc…
Enforce – students who vandalize are dealt with immediately- follow action plan

IV Increase security
Install security devices
Invite more volunteers (security) to be on campus – have them patrol areas identified as high crime areas,
Invite guest to discuss problem- assemblies that promote safety etc…

V Conclusion
As principal I must have something in place to deal with vandalism at the school I work in. Have (list 3 steps) this plan in place will help reduce the number of incidence of vandalism. With limited resources I can’t afford to waste money on repairing what vandals have destroyed.

Term

A major question in curriculum is: “Who determines what we teach in the schools?” Identify and discuss what persons or groups determine the curriculum content in the schools today and from whom do they derive their authority?

Definition

*Federal (NCLB)
With the passage of NCLB in 90’s, came teacher hiring standards
*State Board of Education (SBE) is where the authority is derived from and who adopts the standards.
The State Board of Education (SBE) is the governing and policy-making body of the California Department of Education. The SBE sets K-12 education policy in the areas of standards, instructional materials, assessment, and accountability. The SBE adopts textbooks for grades K-8, adopts regulations to implement legislation, and has authority to grant waivers of the Education Code. The SBE has 11 members, appointed by the Governor.
*School Board (community & parents)
*District (teachers, grade level, and departments) purchases the standards based curriculum based on need;
* Classroom teachers -Then it is implemented and modified based on the needs of students.
*Courts and lawsuits

Term

Definition

Phase I - Problem Identification:
Why do you want to do it? Is it an important and practical problem, something worth your time and effort, something that could be beneficial to you, your students and others?
Is the problem stated clearly and in the form of a question? Is it broad enough to allow for a range of insights and findings? Is it narrow enough to be manageable within your timeframe and your daily work?
Phase II - Plan of Action
Will you develop and implement a new strategy or approach to address your question? If so, what will it be?
Implement the instructional practices consistently
Implement the instructional practices as they were designed to be implemented
Monitor student results
Will you focus your study on existing practices? If so, which particular ones?
What is an appropriate timeline for what you are trying to accomplish?

Phase III - Data Collection
What types of data should you try to collect in order to answer your question?
How will you ensure that you have multiple perspectives?
What resources exist and what information from others might be useful in helping you to frame your question, decide on types of data to collect, or to help you in interpreting your findings?
Phase IV - Analysis of Data
What can you learn from the data? What patterns, insights, and new understandings can you find?
What meaning do these patterns, insights, and new understandings have for your practice? for your students?
Phase V - Plan for Future Action
What will you do differently in your classroom as a result of this study?
What might you recommend to others?
How will you write about what you have learned so that the findings will be useful to you and to others?

Term

Many schools face sanctions from No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Discuss two components of this program and how an administrator might respond in affecting change.

Definition

Term

Definition

Possible sources to site:
Many state laws and college entrance requirements have impeded districts from enrolling students in elective courses

Several arguments for…
Additional AP courses for advanced grade levels
Equitable opportunities for CST/College entrance exams

Several arguments against…
Students lack of a “well rounded” education
Cuts in programs will create wider gap for minorities and disadvantaged students…students are already at a disadvantage with math and literacy levels behind in grade level…a few electives provide reasons for students to attend school in addition to overall instructional program

Term

Name and discuss three forces/agencies, external to the local schools that are currently contributing to the initiation of curriculum change in California.

Definition

Term

Discuss the role of the building principal in bringing about curriculum improvement.

Definition

Introduction: The role of the building principal in bringing about curriculum improvement is crucial to teacher growth and to student academic success. Curriculum improvement begins with:

First, establishing a professional development team comprised of lead teachers by departments and all administrators;

Secondly, the PD Team surveys the needs of the students, teachers and the needs of the overall school;

And lastly, the PD Team sets up accountability measures as well proving follow through and next steps for teachers, ensuring curriculum improvement takes place

Term

What do you consider the three most critical curriculum issues facing educational leaders today? Discuss your number one issue and indicate how you believe the schools should respond to it.

Definition

1. Developing vision or goals. 2. Rethinking the program of studies 3. Committing to a learning-centered schedule
My number one issue is developing the same vision and goals amongst staff in regards to the curriculum. The leader must work with her or his staff in defining what the curriculum shall be for the individual school. All staff members must agree what curriculum to use and how to implement it in the classroom. The educational leader must motivate staff to consistently implement the curriculum which is standards driven. Source: John C. Daresh (Supervision as Proactive Leadership)

Term

Discuss the arguments for and against national/federal standards

Definition

Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers, has come out in favor of national education standards. She declared that “Abundant evidence suggests that common, rigorous standards lead to more students reaching higher levels of achievement.” She decried “the uneven patchwork of academic standards for students” across America, and asked, “Should fate, as determined by a student's Zip code, dictate how much algebra he or she is taught?”
For years many education reformers have argued for national education standards and tests. They have warned against allowing the states to continue to craft their own yardsticks for academic achievement. Regrettably, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) failed to do the former and permitted this latter practice to continue.
NCLB established a fantastically complex metric, adequate yearly progress (AYP), to measure schools’ academics. Put crudely, AYP measures the annual growth in the percentage of a school’s students who score at or above the state standard for competency in a subject area. Though well intended, this policy rewards perverse behavior. States’ can set low academic standards and then progressively water down their tests’ rigor so that more and more kids pass them each year.
To create these standards, many have suggested that “a broad-based group --- made up of educators, elected officials, community leaders, and experts in pedagogy and particular content --- come together to take the best academic standards and make them available as a national model.

Here is a simple breakdown

The Pros and Cons of National Standards In recent years, there has been an ongoing debate in education circles about the value of having a national set of standards that all schools throughout the country would use. Here are the arguments in a nutshell, pro and con:
The Pros
National standards would raise the level of expectations for all. If all schools across the country had the same standards, all students would be expected to achieve at the same level, no matter what state they live in. If students in Mississippi were required to know the same things as students in New York, for example, they would be prepared to attend universities throughout the country.
National standards would assure that all American students meet international levels of achievement. We know that American students fall behind in math and science compared to their peers in other countries. With national standards, it would be clear what students need to know to compete internationally.
National standards would make it easier for students to adjust to a new school when they move from one state to another. In an increasingly mobile population, it would be easier for students who currently face differing standards and different tests in each state.
The Cons
Education has traditionally been a right of the states. The United States has a long history of "local control" of schools that would be hard to change. The federal government or a federal agency should not dictate education in each state.
National standards would create a one-size-fits-all framework. The needs within each state are different. National standards would not take into account the cultural and geographical diversity of our country.
National standards would discourage innovation and creativity in the classroom. Too much similarity could lead to tightly prescribed curriculum in every classroom.
What's the Connection Between Standards and the No Child Left Behind Law? The drive to create state standards and tests was pushed in part by the passage of the No Child Left Behind federal law in 2002. The law requires each state to set standards for curriculum in reading, math and science. Students must be tested annually in reading, math and science in grades 3 through 8, and at least once in grades 10 through 12. All groups of students, including economically disadvantaged and special needs students, must show evidence of academic progress, otherwise the school gets penalized and parents have the right to choose another school or receive free tutoring.
Critics of the law say it did not go far enough because it allowed each state to set its own standards. This created a system where some states have tougher standards than others. States can make tests easier so that more students can meet proficiency standards. Critics argue that this is exactly what has happened in some cases.
Supporters of the law say that it has caused schools to pay significant attention to the lowest achieving students and to raising the bar for all students. Test scores, for the most part, are improving and students are learning.

Term

A small group of parents and citizens has attacked two textbooks being used in a science course. Discuss the steps you would take to respond to this attack.

Definition

1. Set-up a meeting for those parents & citizens
State in the meeting that the curriculum is standard-based
Give data which supports continued use of textbook
Provide teacher testimonial for the use of the textbooks
2. Dear cohort, I am having difficulty in answering this question adequately…I will look into it further and get back to you ASAP. Please feel free to offer any suggestions. Thanks!!!
In uncertain times we need leaders with a positive, confident, can-do approach to life. -Kouzer & Posner

Term

Modern schools are utilizing evaluation and self-evaluation to improve their instructional programs. A supervisor should consider evaluating himself/herself, the role of the supervisor and the school program. Any evaluation should begin with a checklist of items that are being evaluated. This will communicate what responsibilities, outcomes, etc. are expected. This will also ensure that the evaluation is used as a tool to improve programs and not for disciplinary action. It is best to give the checklist in advance during a pre-evaluation conference where expectations will be clarified.

Definition

In evaluating himself/herself, an administrator might consider a questionnaire to be filled out by his/her school community. This form should rate how well the administrator is fulfilling certain job duties using a numbered scale. There should also be a space for written recommendations. The results should be compiled and put on display. The administrator could use this data to uncover weaknesses and address them. The same questionnaire should be given again after a fair amount of time to measure change.
Evaluation of the role of the supervisor should begin with a list of job responsibilities. A survey could be employed to ask whether or not the responsibilities are beneficial to the school site. A space for written answers can be used to offer suggestions for needed duties. The results should be discussed with a district supervisor to determine adjustments.
The school’s educational program must also be evaluated for efficacy. Expectations as well as assessment plans for the program should be presented before the school year begins. They should be recapped, discussed, or amended during the school year during meetings with the school community. Formal evaluation could begin in the middle or late part of the year. This evaluation would include surveys and meetings to discuss the results and new plan of action. Time should be allotted to make changes and the program should be re-evaluated with another survey. These results should be compared to the previous results and posted in the school. Any evaluation plan should include written expectations, the formal evaluation, opportunities for two-way communication about the results, time for modifications and a re-assessment.

Term

Definition

Small Group and Cooperative Learning:
1 Establish heterogeneous groups.
2 Establish group size.
3 Designate group work areas.
4 Designate specific responsibilities to group members.
5 Provide clear directions, time constraints, rules, procedures.
6 Provide necessary materials.
7 Establish leader selection process.
8 Minimize exchanges of information between groups.
9 Watch for conflict.
10 Encourage and praise group support.
Direct Instruction
1. Specify clear lesson objectives
2. Teach directly to those objectives
3. Make learning as concrete and meaningful as possible
4. Provide relevant guided practice
5. Provide independent practice
6. Provide transfer practice activities
Other Strategies
Incorporate Thinking Maps
Encourage Active learning
Prompt feedback
Communicate high expectations with rubric
Move from simple to complex
Accommodate learning styles (Differentiated Instruction)

Term

Indicate 3 reasons teachers fail to achieve maximum effectiveness in the classroom and the actions a supervisor may take to help teachers increase effectiveness in these areas.

Definition

Classroom management
Inadequate resources
Lack of planning
Too many students
Differing levels of students’ abilities
Not using data driven instruction
Not feeling inspired by job, boss or field

Term

One of the major roles of a principal is “instructional leadership.” Describe 3 important aspects of this leadership.

Definition

Develop a vision
Public Relations
Shared decision making
Effective communication
Collaboration
Curriculum alignment
Delegation and trust (utilizing people’s strengths)
SERVE model (Modifying the curriculum to meet the needs of every child)

Term

Discuss in detail two specific practices or activities of classroom teachers that contribute significantly to their teaching effectiveness and explain why they are so effective.

Definition

Practicing backwards planning is an effective teaching practice.
Direct Instruction
Background Knowledge
Assessments
Graphic Organizers-visual learners
Differentiated Instruction
Incorporating Technology
Cooperative Learning Groups
Peer Review
Discussion Time-Literacy Circles
Incorporate manipulatives

Term

As a school principal you want to establish a peer coaching program at your school. Describe what the program might involve and how you would implement it.

Definition

Peer Coaching Program: I would have a peer coaching program at each grade level. Each grade level would participate in a lesson study on mathematics. The coaches would facilitate the meetings to inform teachers about teaching strategies that work in regards to a particular math California content standard. Teachers would first meet to learn about the objective of the lesson study and then would watch a coach and a teacher teach the lesson that integrates the strategies. After the lesson is over teachers would reflect and talk about what worked and how to implement the lesson in their classrooms. The follow up would involve teacher’s team teaching the lesson using the new strategies.

Term

Six Standards

Definition

Six Standards:
1.      Engaging and Supporting All Students in Learning
Teachers build on students’ prior knowledge, life experience, and interests to achieve learning goals for all students; use a variety of instructional strategies an resources that respond to students’ diverse needs.
2.      Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning
Teachers create physical environments that engage ALL students in purposeful learning activities, and encourage constructive interactions among students; maintain safe learning environments in which all students are treated fairly and respectfully as they assume responsibility for themselves and one another.
3.      Understanding and Organizing Subject Matter for Student Learning
Teachers exhibit strong working knowledge of subject matter and student development; organize curriculum facilitate students’ understanding of the central themes concepts, and skills in the subject area.
4.      Planning Instruction and Designing Learning Experiences for All Students
Teachers plan instruction that draws on and values students’ backgrounds, prior knowledge, and interests; establish challenging learning goals for all students based on student experiences, language, development and home and school expectations.
5.      Assessing Student Learning
Teachers establish and clearly communicate learning goals for all students; collect information about student performance from a variety of sources; involve all students in assessing their own learning; use information from a variety of ongoing assessments to plan and adjust learning opportunities that promote academic achievement and personal growth for ALL students.
6.      Developing as a Professional Educator
Teachers reflect on their teaching practice and actively engage in planning their professional development; establish professional learning goals, pursue opportunities to develop professional knowledge and skill, and participate in the extended professional community.

Term

A principal may use the standards to guide improvement of instruction by teachers by:

Definition

1.      Providing professional development in
•       Supporting all students to use first and second language skills to achieve learning skills.
•       Choosing strategies that make the complexity and depth of subject matter understandable to all students including second language learners.
2.      Implementing and observing if teachers
•       Create a classroom environment that reflects and promotes student learning.
•       Involve all students in the development of classroom procedures and routines.
•       Model and promote fairness, equity, and respect in the classroom
3.      Implementing and observing if teachers
•       Identify and understand the key concepts and underlying themes and relationships in the subject area(s) being taught
•       Help student to relate subject matter concepts to previous lessons and their own lives
4.      Providing professional development in/ implementing and observing if teachers
•       Use knowledge about student’s lives and their families an communities to use in their planning of instruction.
•       Adjust their lesson plan to make content relevant and accessible to each student.
5.      Implementing and observing if teachers
•       Ensure that goals for learning are appropriate to student’s development, language acquisition, or other special needs.
•       Model assessment strategies for all students
6.      Providing teachers additional time to collaborate and opportunities to
•       Formulate professional development plans that are based on their reflection and analysis
•       Use professional literature, school district and other professional development opportunities to increase their understanding of teaching and learning.

Term

Developmental Supervision of teachers calls for the use of different supervisory approaches by the supervisor. Describe three different approaches that might be used and the rationale for each.
Approach #1 Nondirective

Definition

1. Listening 2. Clarifying 3. Encouraging 4. Presenting
The supervisor sets very precise standards for teacher and then openly explains his or her expectations that those standards will be met.
Approach #2 Collaborative
1. Problem Solving 2. Negotiating 3. Demonstrating
Either the teacher or the supervisior may appropriately take the initiative to require a meeting to discuss concerns. The product of the supervisor-teacher meeting is an actively negotiated plan of action.
Approach #3 Directive
1. Directing 2. Standardizing 3. Reinforcing
The primary assumption that teachers are capable of initiating their own improvement activities by analyzing their own instruction. The supervisor acts as a facilitator helping teachers control their own improvement.
Source: Supervision as Proactive Leadership (John C. Daresh)

Term

Discuss briefly what you would consider to be the five most critical areas of competence needed by today’s school principal and explain the reasons why each area is important.

Definition

Possible sources to site: Principle Centered Leadership –Covey
Supervision as Proactive Leadership –Daresh
Skills for Successful 21st Century School Leaders- Hoyle
School Personnel Administration Townley
The Principal as Curriculum Leader- Glatthorn

I Introduction- 5 most critical areas of competence needed in school principal
Good communication
Budget
Curriculum & Instruction
Special Education
Evaluation (Programs & Personnel)

II Good communication
a. Interpersonal skills Articulate a vision of learning, Build consensus and buy in
b. Community Relations- Engage community-get input work collaboratively
***Buy in gets stakeholders on board with the vision

Budget
a. Skills in policy and governance-knowledge of school mandates (superintendent/school board/ state) finance management
b. Develop, monitor school site budget
c. Proper decision making and accounting procedures
d. Knowledgeable of school expenditures (necessary equipment, maintenance of school etc…
***Money allocated correctly leads to school success

III Curriculum & Instruction
a. Design, evaluate and modify curriculum based on research, practice and policies
b. Knowledge of standards –best practices, professional development
c. Data driven decision making- provide /programs that benefit students
***Knowledge allows you to make decisions that increase student achievement

Special Education
a. Understand and implement federal, state and local special education requirements
b. Familiar with assessments, IEP and proper procedures
c. Ability to include and support these students
*** School compliance or school and district can be sued.

IV Evaluation (Programs & Personnel)
a. Effective evaluation of models and processes
b. Use data based decision making
c. Assist/ give opportunities to improve
***Must be able to evaluate the effectiveness and make changes accordingly
V Conclusion

List 5 competencies – these are the areas of competence required of an effective principal. With this in place school can increase student achievement and positive school environment.

Term

Definition

Possible source to site: Collins “good to great”, Posner and Kouzes Five Practices of Exemplary Leaders, Dr. Gregory 650 Course.

I. There has been much studied about excellent leadership practices throughout the course of history.
A. Within education, the principal has the primary role of the school to build climate and trust among teachers and staff.
B. Within education reform, innovation and change are leading forces to improve education.
C. In their book, the five practices of exemplary leaders, Posner and Kouzes present a model for leaders to establish a strong culture and encourage opportunities for reform.
II. The first practice is model the way.
A. To model the way means to be leader who does what they say they will do when they say they will do it.
B. This is important because a leader needs to have credibility.
III. The second practice is to Inspire a shared vision.
A. In order to create a school climate that encourages change and innovation, people need to feel connected and that what they are working towards is on the same page as those around them.
IV. The third practice is to challenge the process.
A. Often times in education, reverting back to what is safe or “normal” creates instances of bad practices or worn-out ideas.
B. Allow others to feel safe challenging the process to create change.
V. The fourth practice of exemplary leaders is enable others to act
A. A leader can not do everything on their own.
B. Leaders must delegate and set up successful systems for having others step up to take leadership opportunities.

VI. The final practice of exemplary leaders is to encourage the heart.
A. Team members need to feel valued and trusted.
VII. These five practices will work to get a team invested in a leader, inspired by a vision, working towards change, and feeling trusted.

Term

For many years many educators have advocated the elimination of small school districts and amalgamation, unification, etc. to form increasingly larger administrative units. More recently the trend appears to have reversed, with the talk now largely in terms of decentralization. Discuss the factors which tend to operate in favor of larger districts and those which appear to make decentralization desirable.

Definition

-Larger districts have more desirable revenues and therefore can hire more people to spread out the work force. Additionally, larger districts often have the monies and the abilities to build or buy large property areas and buildings. A larger district has a central office that handles the majority of human resources, personnel issues, hiring, firing, or staff relations. In a larger district, the sheer amount of people allows for certain people to work in different areas and they are able to provide better support services for students such as social workers, psychologists.
-Small districts (or decentralization) is desirable because there is first and foremost the opportunity for local control of schools and decision making to happen on a much more micro level which research has shown greatly improves the outcome of student achievement. For example, a smaller school has the ability to adopt a curriculum that is best suited for students. In a smaller school, money allocation and distribution has more accountability and less buerarcracy. In some cases, collective bargaining may actually be about what’s best for students and teachers and not about seniority and tenure. There is an element of a cohesive community or environment that may lead to increased safety and security on campuses. A smaller district in general is easier to manage.

Term

What are steps necessary to establish a full inclusion program for special needs students at your school?

Definition

.      Determine the needs, restrictions, strengths and weaknesses of the students to be served from the IEP.
2.      Commitment and collaboration between teachers. There must be an agreement for all staff to work collaboratively in the Inclusion process and to develop a sense of "community" within the school environment.
3.      Determine what model best suites students and staff.
a.      ALEM Adaptive learning Environment Model (Wang) Highly Structured Model
b.      Team Teaching
c.      Circle of Inclusion –participatory model
4.      Facilities - Determine the physical needs of the facility, special limitations,
5.      Resources – personnel, curricular, instructional etc.
6.      Legal Compliance - IDEA, Rehabilitation ACT.

Term

Discuss several major issues that should be considered in determining whether or not to move from a (K-6)-(7-9)-(10-12)-school configuration to a (K-5)-(6-8)-(9-12) organizational plan.

Definition

Introduction: When considering whether or not to move from a (K-6)-(7-9)-(10-12) school configuration to a (K-5)-(7-9)-(9-12) organizational plan we should consider the issues which are particular to the schools in mind. For example:

Are the feeding Elementary and Middle Schools over crowded?

Are school facilities (buildings) available to accommodate the move?

Consider the students’ physical growth and the level of maturity (of 6th graders and 9th graders) for safety reasons as well as for attaining greater academic growth.

College requirements begin in the 9th grade therefore the move of the 9th grade to high school offers more of a college readiness atmosphere than a middle school campus, thus having a greater chance of setting the path to college for 9th graders as soon as they begin their ninth grade academic curriculum.

Term

Three compelling reasons for the decline in high school graduation rates:

Definition

1. Insufficient funding (California Dropout Research Project)
2. Growing population of English Language Learners (California Dropout Research Project)
3. CA High School Exit Exam (Stanford University/UC Davis study)
Districts may employ the following to reverse the trend:
A) Demand a budget increase from the state
B) Decrease class size to address the specific needs of students especially English Language Learners who need to be reclassified by the time they leave elementary school.

Term

Describe how you, as a principal, would promote maximum participation of the school staff in the decision making process within your school.

Definition

•       Create a collective vision statement (Kouzes and Posner)
•       Establish a decision-making team (Daresh)
•       Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations (Gregory)
•       Strengthen others by sharing power and discretion (Gregory)
•       Foster collaboration by promoting cooperative goals and building trust (Gregory)
•       Establish an open door policy
•       Practice consensus building by using surveys
•       Generate staff input
•       Embrace the views of staff especially if they differ from

Term

Definition

Possible Sources to Site: Dufor and Eaker, Professional Learning Communities, Posner and Kouzes “Five Practices of Exemplary Leaders” Professor Garcia, Curriculum and Supervision of Instruction.

I. Historically, the role of the principal in schools has been as an operational and personnel manager.
A. With the current state of schools and the need for higher level of accountability and reform, school models are changing to a principal who is an instructional leader within the school.
II. The principal has the primary responsibility of enhancing the instructional process.
A. The first major role is to determine the needs and fit of teachers for the school; strong hiring must be the top priority to build a strong school and promote a culture of high level instruction.
B. The next major role is to identify instructional goals for the school and to provide support to teachers for implementing these goals.
C. A principal has the responsibility of setting up systems of support for teachers through coaches, professional development, and mentoring.
III. There are multiple models for supporting curriculum implementation and supervision.
A. A common thread in all of the models is a principal who is constantly in classrooms and is aware of what is going on to make strong decisions based on what is best for students.

Term

One of the signs of a good leader is his/her willingness to delegate administrative
authority and responsibility. Describe four criteria that you, as a school principal,
would employ in determining what should and what should not be delegated.

Definition

In order to ascertain what should and should not be delegated, I would ask myself the following 5 questions:
Is there someone else who has (or can be given) the necessary information or expertise to complete the task? Essentially is this a task that someone else can do, or is it critical that I do it myself?

Does the task provide an opportunity to grow and develop another person’s skills?

Is this a task that will recur, in a similar form, in the future?

Do I have enough time to delegate the job effectively? Time must be available for adequate training, for questions and answers, for opportunities to check progress, and for rework if that is necessary.

Is this a task that I should delegate? Tasks critical for long-term success (for example, recruiting the right people for your team) genuinely do need your attention.
If most of the answers to these questions are yes, then the task can most likely be delegated, but professional discretion is also critical.

Term

Articulation Plan

Definition

Set up an appointment for the 5th grade level Chair and the 6th grade level chair to meet and discuss the academic level that the 5th grades students are on, so that the 6th grade teachers are aware and can prepare. Also, plan a day or 2, when the 6th grade teachers can go into the classrooms at the Elementary school and observe the students and the curriculum that the students are learning.
Select a day for the elementary students to visit the middle school campus. This is the day that will be used to showcase the middle school’s activities and classrooms. Students will tour the campus, be allowed to enter the 6th grade classrooms while they are in session, eat in the cafeteria and visit the library and locker rooms.

Term

IDEA (Previously Public Law 94-142) continues to have a tremendous impact on public education. Discuss four of the major features of this bill.

Definition

In 1975, Congress passed Public Law 94-142 (Education of All Handicapped Children Act), now codified as IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). In order to receive federal funds, states must develop and implement policies that assure a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities. The state plans must be consistent with the federal statute, Title 20 United States Code Section 1400 et.seq.
Four Purposes of PL 94-142
"to assure that all children with disabilities have available to them…a free appropriate public education which emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs"
"to assure that the rights of children with disabilities and their parents…are protected"
"to assist States and localities to provide for the education of all children with disabilities"
"to assess and assure the effectiveness of efforts to educate all children with disabilities"
For children 6 to 17, the law specifies that states and local school districts must:
Make every reasonable effort to locate handicapped children and give first priority to the most severely disabled.
Evaluate the learning needs of each child, in consultation with parents and special education advisors, and develop and individual education program to meet these needs
Place these children in the least restricted environment as possible
Periodically evaluate the child’s progress and make changes as needed

Term

Assume that you have been recently appointed principal of a new school. Describe how you would proceed in establishing an effective school-community relations program in your school.

Definition

In Diverse Partnerships for Student Success, Decker, Decker, and Brown provided a list of quality indicators for an effective program as it relates to establishing a relationship between the school and the community (pages 118-121).
1. Distribute information regarding cultural, recreational, academic, health, social, and other resources that serve families within the community
2. Develop partnerships with local business & service groups to advance student learning & assist schools & families.
3. Encourage employers to adopt policies & practices that promote & support adult participation in children’s education.
4. Foster student participation in community service
5. Involve community members in school volunteer programs
6. Disseminate information to the school community, including those without school-age children, regarding school programs & performance
7. Collaborate with community agencies to provide family support services & adult learning opportunities, enabling families to more fully participate in activities that support education
8. Inform staff members of the resources available in the community & strategies for utilizing those resources
The following is table 6.3 found in the book that provides some program examples.

Meeting Basic Needs
Developing Openness & 2-way Communication
Supporting Learning in Home & the Community
Participating in Voluntary & Advisory Roles
Building Collaboration & Partnerships
Participating in Governance
Program
*nutrition programs
*parenting education
*home-school liaison
*welcoming school environment
*parent, student, teacher conferences
*school newsletter
*home visits
*surveys
*message board of sch. Events
*newspaper column
*family literacy nights
*assignments to encourage family involvement
*learning contracts among parents, student, & tchr
*summer/holiday learning projects
*attending/assisting in school events
*fundraising
*room for volunteers/parents
*guest speaker
*tutoring students
*leading clubs
*parent centers
*providing advise on sch. issues/program
*school council, parent council
*financial & “in kind” contributions
*business partnerships/ sponsorships
*in-school daycare
*early intervention
*preschool
*shared facilities
*community service work

*planning, problem solving
*making decisions about budget, program adaptations, priorities, & staffing
*program assessment
*shared management
*partner ships with org./agencies

Term

One of the recognized responsibilities of a school principal is that of providing an orientation program for new teachers to his/her school. Discuss what components go into the development of a quality orientation program.

Definition

1.      A session on the school’s mission and vision to align, including the school year goals.
2.      Understanding the culture of the school.
3.      Setting clear expectation for both academic and behavior management in classrooms.
4.      A course on ethic and employee relations.
5.      A session that describes school policies.
6.      Establishing the channels of communication.
7.      A session on school operations.

Term

Definition

Term

In current contract negotiations, the Teachers’ union has expressed its desire that teachers have a greater role in the decision making at their individual schools. The school board is split on this issue and has requested input from the principals in the district. As a principal, describe four guidelines that you feel should be included in any policy that the board might submit for negotiation.

Definition

Four guidelines that I feel should be included in any policy are:
1. All decisions with teacher input should be made with students’ best interests in mind. If the decision is not what’s best for students, then it should not be on the table.
2. Decisions with teacher input cannot be solely made by the certificated teacher population. Two other constituent groups must be involved (i.e. administration, classified staff, non-classroom certificated staff such as counselors, community members such as parents).
3. Any decisions that have to do with student or staff safety must have final approval by the principal.
4. Staff members who are participating in school site decision making committees must be elected by a majority of union staff members.

Term

Definition

I. There has been much studied about excellent leadership practices throughout the course of history.
A. Within education, the principal has the primary role of the school to build climate and trust among teachers and staff.
B. Within education reform, innovation and change are leading forces to improve education.
C. In their book, the five practices of exemplary leaders, Posner and Kouzes present a model for leaders to establish a strong culture and encourage opportunities for reform.
II. The first practice is model the way.
A. To model the way means to be leader who does what they say they will do when they say they will do it.
B. This is important because a leader needs to have credibility.
III. The second practice is to Inspire a shared vision.
A. In order to create a school climate that encourages change and innovation, people need to feel connected and that what they are working towards is on the same page as those around them.
IV. The third practice is to challenge the process.
A. Often times in education, reverting back to what is safe or “normal” creates instances of bad practices or worn-out ideas.
B. Allow others to feel safe challenging the process to create change.
V. The fourth practice of exemplary leaders is enable others to act
A. A leader can not do everything on their own.
B. Leaders must delegate and set up successful systems for having others step up to take leadership opportunities.

VI. The final practice of exemplary leaders is to encourage the heart.
A. Team members need to feel valued and trusted.
VII. These five practices will work to get a team invested in a leader, inspired by a vision, working towards change, and feeling trusted.

Term

The editor of the local paper has called and requested that you prepare an article on the Role and Purpose of Alternative Schools at the Secondary Level. Prepare such an article.

Definition

A. The role of alternative secondary schools…
Are designed to meet a variety of needs including preventing students from dropping out of school, providing another educational option, serving as a disciplinary consequence, or providing academic/behavioral remediation.
Are primarily designed for high school age students, although many states have schools that are serving younger students.
Are accessed by students in a variety of ways ranging from student choice (usually with some specified parameters) to mandatory placement.
Often have criteria for enrollment (e.g., students may be admitted as a result of suspension or expulsion or they must meet some form of at-risk criteria).
Serve students for varying amounts of time (e.g., short- term placement and transition back to traditional school; long-term commitment through graduation).
Offer educational programs that typically include one or more of the following; an emphasis on individual instruction, a focus on basic academic skills, social services (e.g., counseling or social skills instruction), and/or community or work-based learning.
B. The purpose of alternative secondary schools:
Alternative education programs, both public school-based and community-based, offer students who are struggling or who have left school an opportunity to achieve in a new setting and use creative, individualized learning methods. While there are many different kinds of alternative schools and programs, they are often characterized by their flexible schedules, smaller student-teacher ratios, relevant and career-oriented themes, and innovative curricula. Alternative education can be invaluable in helping communities offer multiple pathways to success for all high school-aged students, including those who are not succeeding in a traditional public school environment.

Term

Definition

WASC=Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This commission works to accredit schools such that colleges recognized diplomas from the school. The school grants accreditation to schools based on the presumption that the primary goals are:
Certification to the public that the school is a trustworthy institution of learning.
The improvement of the school’s programs and operations to support student learning.
The school is substantially accomplishing its stated purposes and functions identified as appropriate for an institution of its type.
The school is meeting acceptable levels of quality in accordance with the WASC criteria adopted by the accrediting commission.

Procedures:
1. School completed documentation and application.
2. Initial accreditation for schools that meet criteria for full accreditation and have a history of a high quality program.
3. Candidacy is a status of affiliation indication that an institution has achieved initial recognition and is progressing toward, but does not yet assume, a accreditation.
4. Denial may result is the school does not fully meet WASC criteria.

WASC is looking for criteria in five categories. The categories are:

Organization
Standards-based student learning in:
Curriculum
Instruction
Assessment and Accountability
School culture and support for student personal and academic growth.

Essentially, WASC determines if a school is functioning correctly and providing students with a quality education.

Term

-implement the 5 practices of exemplary leadership

Definition

1) Model the way
-find your voice: requires clarifying values and expressing yourself
-clarify your values: need values to guide actions and decisions, you can’t believe in the messenger if you don’t know what the messenger believes
-clarity of values will give you great confidence in finding your authentic, true voice
2) Inspire a shared visions
-discover a them and imagine possibilities
-listen deeply to others, discover and appeal to a common purpose, give life to the vision by communicating expressively (interpreting the vision)
3) Challenge the process
-leaders calculate the risk/failure and proceed
- search for opportunities: seize the initiative, make challenge meaningful innovate and create, look outward for fresh ideas
-experiment and take risks: learn from mistakes, promote psychological hardiness
-make it safe to experiment, give people choices, conduct pre and post assessments for every project
4) Enable others to act
-leadership is a team effort, need to foster collaboration and trust
-essentials of fostering collaboration: create a climate of trust, facilitate positive interdependence, support face-to-face interactions
-Covey: trust is glue of relationships, improves happiness and attitude
-trusting leaders are open to alternative viewpoints
-leaders must foster a sense of mutual benefit: tasks are structured so each person makes a contribution to the end product/result
-strengthen others: ensure self leadership, provide choice, develop competence and confidence, foster accountability
5) Encourage the heart
-accomplish through recognizing contributions: focus on clear standards, expect the best, pay attention; celebrating the values and victories: create a spirit of community, tell a story, set the example
-examples at schools: set up bragging board, schedule celebrations, create a commemorative award honoring exemplary actions

Term

Capital Outlay

Definition

Amounts paid for the acquisition of fixed assets or additions to fixed assets.

Fixed assets encompass land or existing building; improvements of grounds; construction, addition to, or remodeling of buildings; and initial purchases of or additions to equipment

Term

COLA

Definition

Cost of Living Adjustment

An increase in funding for revenue limits or categorical programs.
Current law ties COLAs to various indices of inflation, although different amounts are appropriated in some years

Term

Education Code

Definition

The body of law that regulates education in California.
Additional regulations are contained in the California Administrative Code, Title 5; government Code; and general statues

Term

Employee Benefits

Definition

Amounts paid by the LEA(Local Educational Agency) on behalf of employees

Term

Encroachment

Definition

The expenditure of a school district’s general purpose funds for special programs, such as special ed and transportation.

Encroachment occurs in most districts that provide services for handicapped children, student food services and student transportation

Term

Encumbrances

Definition

Obligations in the form of purchase orders, contract, salaries, and other commitments chargeable to an appropriation and for which a part of the appropriation is reserved

Term

Equalization

Definition

Funds allocated by the legislature to raise districts with lower revenue limits toward the statewide average

Term

Three major column items

The three major line items on the budget

Definition

Column items:
Restricted, unrestricted, combined

Line items:
Revenue, expenditures, ending balance

Term

Oswalt and AB2756 list items that indicate a district in fiscal trouble

Definition

Governance crisis
absence of communication to educational comm.
lack of interagency cooperation
failure to recognize year to year trends
flawed avg daily attendance projections
failure to maintain reserves
insufficient long term bargaining effects
flawed multiyear projections
inaccurate revenue/expenditure estimates
Poor cash flow analysis
Bargaining agreements beyond state COLA
No integration of position control w/ payroll
Limited access to timely personnel, payroll, and budget control reports
Escalating general fund encroachment
Lack of regular monitoring of categorical programs

Term

Other indications of financial trouble for a district

Definition

Inadequate beginning and ending balances
Administrative turnover
Enrollment decline

Term

Three factors affecting staff costs

Definition

Number of employees needed
Cost of Salaries
Cost of Benefits

85% of district budget is spent on personnel salaries and benefits

Term

Problem with declining enrollment

Definition

Declining enrollment gives a district:
less revenue
less students
less money
but still same expenditures

Term

Five practices in budgeting that will get a district in trouble

Definition

Ineffective estimations of ending balances (E)
Ineffective budget developments (B)
Ineffective budget monitoring and reporting (M)
Ineffective attendance accounts (A)
Ineffective personnel practices (P)

Term

Important State Budget dates

Definition

June 15th – deadline for legislature to adopt budget

Term

Important District Budget States

Definition

March 15th – Layoff date
October 31st – first interim financial report
-positive – qualified – negative
January 31st - If a district receives a qualified or negative certification they resubmit budget for second interim financial report
July 1st - district holds public hearing on district budget

Term

Most significant factor in determining the per pupil cost of education

Definition

Student –teacher ratio (class size)

Term

Benefits districts are required to pay for employees

Definition

Workers compensation
and
Retirement

Term

Expenditures

Definition

The cost of goods delivered or services rendered, whether paid or unpaid, including expenses, provision for debt retirement not reported as a liability of the fund from which retired, and capital outlay.

Term

FCMAT

Definition

Fiscal Crisis management Assistance Team—A committee formed within the California Department of Education to review and redesign financial reporting forms for all school districts. The FCMAT accounting system was required of all districts and county offices of education as of the 1988-89 school year.

Term

Fiscal Year

Definition

A period of one year, the beginning and ending dates of which are fixed by statue. In California, the fiscal year beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.

Term

Fixed Assets

Definition

Assets of a permanent character having continuing value; eg, land, buildings, machinery, furniture and equipment

Term

Gann Spending Limit

Definition

A ceiling, or limit, on each year’s appropriation of tax dollars by the state, cities, countries, school districts and special districts. Districts are permitted to increase budgets equal to inflation—that is, equal to the change in the Consumer Price Index or per capita personal income, whichever is smaller—or change in the district’s ADA. Proposition 111, adopted in June 1990, amended the Gann inflation factor to equate only to the change in per capita personal income.

Term

General Fund

Definition

The fund used to finance the ordinary operations of LEA. It is available for any legally authorized purpose.

Term

Proposition 13

Definition

An initiative amendment passed in 1978 adding Article XIII A to the California Constitution. Tax rates on secured property are restricted to a maximum of 1% of the assessed value (full cash value) and annual property tax increases to 2%. Any new taxes must be approved by 2/3 of the voters. A consequence of this was that all taxes now went through Sacramento where they now took their cut and send the rest to the school districts, counties, and cities.

Term

Proposition 39

Definition

Lowered the required vote for passage of General Obligation Bonds from 2/3 to 55%.

Term

Proposition 98

Definition

This proposition was narrowly passes in 1988 and it guarantees a minimum funding level for schools. It also guaranteed payment to K-14 education of 50% of the excess when state tax revenues exceed the Gann spending limit for two consecutive years, and the remaining 50% is rebated to taxpayers. With this proposition schools were now held accountable with Annual School Accountability Report Cards to hold school accountable for dollars spent by local school boards. Has 3 tests—Test 2 is generally used, Test 3 used in poor economic times, Test 1 used in good times.

Term

Proposition 111

Definition

Reduces the minimum funding guarantee in a year of low revenue. Formula for recalculating the cost-of-living element for when the economy is poor. This prop crated Test 3 of Prop 98.

Term

Categorical Aid

Definition

Moneys that come from the state and federal governments for specific programs like Titles I-VI.
Title I- Poverty
Title II- Teacher improvement (PD)
Title III- ELL
Title IV- 21st Century School (TUPE)
Title V- Innovative Programs
Title VI- Assessment Funding

Term

Governor Davis’s Plan for Education

Definition

In his State of the State Address Governor Davis stated that education was his “first, second and third priority.” During his term, he continued to fund Class Size Reduction. He set aside $41 million for districts to use PAR funds to improve the teachings of veteran teachers. He sponsored the Public Schools Accountability Act which was designed to track and compared a school’s performance over a period of time through the use of standardized tests. He proposed and legislature approved, a mandatory high school exit exam in the areas of Math and Language Arts (CAHSEE).

Term

WillIam’s Case

Definition

2000 law suit charged that the state had failed to give thousands of children the basic tools necessary for their education. This basically says that funding was insufficient. Support for low performing schools. More accountability for providing basic supplies and facilities and maintenance. Made schools responsible for text books, facilities and qualified teachers. Cannot ask families for money.

Term

Factors in creating enrollment growth in California

Definition

1950’s baby boom
Immigration
Migration from other states

Term

Number of school districts in CA

Definition

1,000

Term

Average amount CA spends per student (ADA)

Definition

$8,000

Term

Six elements (fields) are incorporated in account codes

Definition

Fund/Account Group—identifies specific activities or defines objectives of the district. Examples: general fund, adult ed fund and transportation fund.
Resource—records revenues that require special accounting or reporting procedures or that have legal restrictions as to how the funds may be used. Examples: federal programs, lottery funds and state building funds
Project Year—tracks projects that span more than one fiscal year. Includes federal grants. Examples: bilingual grants
Goal—tracks income and expenditures by the district’s instructional goals. Examples: regular classes, classes for gifted students, drivers training and vocational education.
Function/Activity—tracks income and expenditures for services performed to accomplish one or more objectives in the goal field. Examples: transporting students to school in order to educate them, feed them and provide health services.
Object—tracks expenditures by the service or commodity. Example: salaries, benefits, books, supplies, services

Term

Restricted Funds

Definition

Monies whose use is restricted by legal requirements or be a donor. These funds can only be spent for a specific purpose or program. Funds received in excess of the expenditures in any one year must be carried over to the next year for that program or returned to the donor (state or other source of funds).

Term

Revenue Limit

Definition

The specific amount of state and local taxes a school district may receive per pupil for its general education program. Annual increases are determined by the legislature. Categorical aid is allocated in addition to the revenue limit.

Term

Second Period Attendance/P-2

Definition

The period of time from July 1 through the last full school month ending on or before April 15. Revenue limit sources are based on ADA generated during this period.

Term

Senate Bill 813

Definition

Education reform legislation approved by the legislature and signed by the governor in 1983. This legislature contained a series of “reforms” in funding calculations, as well as in programs. Longer day, longer year, mentor teachers, and beginning teacher salary adjustment are a few of the programs implemented by SB813.

Term

Serrano V. Priest

Definition

A California Supreme Court decision that declared the system of financing schools unconstitutional because it violated the equal protection clause of the state’s constitution. The court said that by 1980 the relative effort, or tax rate, required of taxpayers for local schools must be nearly the same throughout the state and that differences in annual per-pupil expenditures due to local wealth must be less than $100.00. The impact of Proposition 13 settled the taxpayer equity provision.

Term

STRS

Definition

State Teachers’ Retirement System. A state retirement system for teachers and other certificated employees. State law requires certificated employees, school districts, and the state to contribute to this retirement system.

Term

Unencumbered Balance

Definition

That portion of an appropriation or allotment not yet expended or obligated.

Term

The eleven (11) major areas of responsibility of a school district’s Chief Business Official (CBO)

Definition

Strategic & Financial Planning
Information Technology
Collective Bargaining
Fiscal Accounting, reports to Board of Directors, audits
Payroll
Purchasing and warehouse
Insurance
Facilities
M & O
Transportation
Food Service

Term

What operational expenses must school business officials consider in estimating expenditures for the next budget year?

Definition

Salaries
Supplies/materials
Equipment

Term

How does a school district CBO differ from a private business CFO?

Definition

Profits vs student achievement

Term

What are major sources of information that must be reviewed in order to determine how much money a district will get (REVENUE) the following year?

Definition

Enrollment projections
ADA projections
COLA
Categorical funds
Lottery

Term

All district revenues are placed in which account?

Definition

8000 series

Term

The object code categories which comprise the largest expenditures in most school districts’ budgets are

Definition

5000 series (contracted services, including utilities)

Term

Most districts spend at least the following percentage of their budget on personnel costs

Definition

85%

Term

Revenue limit income

Definition

makes up most of the district’s general fund
is mostly unrestricted
is the amount of money a district may receive for general purposes

Term

Among the advantages of Zero-Based Budgeting

Definition

annual evaluation of program priorities

Term

Incremental or historical budgeting means

Definition

The starting point is the prior year budget

Term

Zero-Based Budgeting

Definition

Budget starts from scratch

Term

Program Based Budgeting (PBB)

Definition

Budget based on goals; complicated budgeting system

Term

Site Based Budgeting

Definition

Budgeting that begins at a school site

Term

Four major types of classifications in districts budgets

Definition

Governmental funds, proprietary funds, fiduciary funds and account groups

Term

3 major types of school district expenditures

Definition

Operating, retirement of debt and capital outlay

Term

3 main operational expenditures

Definition

Salaries, supplies and equipment

Term

Ideal budget document contains a combination of numbers and text that contain 6 elements:

Definition

•Policies related to finances
•Goals for programs
•Assumptions used to develop budget
•Comparison
•Projections for future with calendar
•Easily assessable for community

Term

All school districts have 8 state requirements

Definition

Meet budget deadline
Estimate income and expenditures before state budget
Balance budgets
Certify twice a year financial status
Report ADA twice
Use state-mandated accounting classifications and report forms
Arrange independent annual audit
Invite public comment

Term

Account Code

Definition

The major codes used in school district budgets
Each code stands for what programs and activities are included in the code
1000-8000

Term

Account Codes

Definition

1000- Certificated
2000- Classified
3000- Employee Benefits
4000- Books/ Supplies
5000- Services
6000- Equipment
7000- Other
8000- Revenue

Term

ADA- attendance

Definition

Average Daily attendance- amount per pupil per day ($120)

Most amount of revenue for a school- less students, less ADA, less revenue

Term

SIP
School Improvement Plan

Definition

Money granted by the state to selected schools to carry out a plan developed by school site council for improvement of the school’s program.

Term

Assembly Bill 1200

Definition

Bill passed by legislation and approved by governor in 1991
Was passed to prevent schools from barrowing loans and from banks
It changed previous budget timelines
It imposed greater financial responsibility for school districts
*major intent is to impose greater fiscal accountability controls on school ditricts

Term

Assessed Valuation

Definition

The value of land, homes, or businesses set by the county assessor for property tax purposes. Assessed value is either the appraisal value or any newly constructed or purchased property or the value on March 1, 1975, of continuously owned property, plus annual increase. This increase is tied to the California Consumer Price Index, but may not exceed 2% each year.

Term

Block Grant

Definition

A lump sum allocation of special purpose funds in which two or more special purpose or categorical funds are lumped together for distribution to the state or LEA (local educational agency)

Term

Current Challenges for CA Education

Definition

Facilities
ELL
SPED
Financial state of the state- budget
Student diversity
Poverty Free Reduced Lunch
Overcrowding increased population
Finding enough qualified staff

Term

4 Groups of students that represent the highest increases in CA’s enrollment

Definition

ELL/ Immigrants
Low Income
Minority Groups
SPED
These groups impact school budget because they require additional funds and therefore encroach on the general fund

Term

Ways in which teacher recruitment has changed in the past few years

Definition

Incentives on pay to teach at low performing schools
Loans on homes
Tax breaks
Recruitment fairs

Term

ADA and October Enrollment

Definition

ADA- average daily attendance- which is the actual number of students who come to school
The October Enrollment Figure is the number of students enrolled in the school.
The ADA is part of the Oct. Enrollment in that schools get funding based on how many students are present versus how many are enrolled. That is why Oct. Figure is always higher.

Term

Percentage of ELL in CA public schools

Definition

25%

ELL is a special needs groups that does not receive majority support for funding

Term

Most regressive tax towards the general population

Definition

Sales tax

Term

Prop 227

Definition

Passed in 1998

Eliminated bilingual education

Term

Vouchers

Definition

Parent Choice initiatives where parents can chose where they can go to school

Was defeated twice

Term

STAR Program
SB 376

Definition

Requires all CA school districts to use a single standardized tests to assess each student in grade 2-11 each year

Term

SB 1777

Definition

Passed on 1996

Funds approved by Gov. Wilson and legislature to lower class sizes

Term

SB 813

Definition

Hughes/Hart Education Reform Act (1983-84)

First act after Serrano and Prop. 13 to “rehabilitate” education on CA
A way to improve Education in CA
-Higher Graduation requirements
-Increased beginning teachers salaries
-Longer school day/year
-Set standards

Term

Prop 20

Definition

50% of money given by lottery has to directly to education materials.

Term

Budget

Definition

A spending plan to accomplish instructional objectives

Term

Average size districts in CA are required to set aside the following amount for economic uncertainties

Definition

Term

District Superintendent must be replaced

Definition

When the amount of a loan given to a district to keep it solvent exceeds a set threshold.

Term

3 Types of Taxes

Definition

Income Tax
Sales Tax
Property Tax

Term

4 Population of Highest Groups with impact on enrollment

Definition

African Americans
Hispanic
Pacific Islander
Asian

These groups impact budget because we have to teach ELL and teach how to assimilate to a new environment

Term

Special Needs Groups

Definition

ELL
GATE
Low Scores
SPED

Term

Prop 49

Definition

Provided funds for education outside of the school day

After School education and safety program

Term

Source of Funding for Schools

Definition

State 66%
Local Property 22%
Federal 11%
Local Misc. 6.5%
Lottery 2%

Term

Funding Distribution

Definition

Categorical General
-1/3 -2/3 based on ADA and revenue limit
-restricted SPED
ELL
GATE
(state & fed.)

Term

School’s Finances are controlled by:

Definition

State legislature and governor

Term

What % of students receive SPED Funds?

Definition

11%

Term

Non K-12 programs that receive funding

Definition

Preschool
Adult Education
Safety Programs

Term

Purpose of a District Budget Calendar

Definition

1. Roadmap to meet legal requirements
2. Create a base plan for the district

Term

Position Control

Definition

Matches available positions with $ the district has

Coordinates and authorized positions that align with district policies

Term

Major Factors that Drives

Definition

Revenue= enrollment
Expenditure= class size

Term

3 Types of Taxes

Definition

Proportional

Progressive –state income tax

Regressive-sales tax –same amount for everyone

Term

Consumption Tax

Definition

Taxes based on spending income

A tax on goods

17% of US revenue is consumption tax
Pos: can raise a lot of $ in a short amount of time
Neg: it is a regressive tax

Term

6 sources of Information to determine revenue

Definition

1. Enrollment Projections
2. Attendance Calculations
3. COLA
4. Lottery
5. Categorical Revenue
6. SPED Income

Term

Other Sources of Local Income

Definition

Sale and Lease of Property

Term

Largest Expenditure Codes

Definition

1000, 2000, 3000

Term

3 major Operation expenses

Definition

1. Books/ supplies
2. Services
3. Capital Outlay

Term

A budget is

Definition

the best way to control expenditures
A spending plan to accomplish instructional objectives
A requirement used to make reports on categorical programs
Allocated by the state based on ADA

Term

The Major intent of AB1200 was to

Definition

Impose greater fiscal accountability controls on school districts
Give more control to the state for budgeting of school districts revenues
Form a committee to redesign the accounting system of school districts
Change the budget calendar to a dual adoption process

Term

Average size districts in California (ADA 1,001-30,000) are required to set aside the following amount for economic uncertainties

Definition

5%
3%
10%
1%

Term

What must a district do on both of these dates- October 31 and January 31?

Definition

Establish enrollment count dates for ADA accounting
Set aside a specified amount for economic uncertainties
Change the budget adoption process and timelines
Submit an interim financial report to the county

Term

Which of the following is not a primary factor used to estimate how much a district will need to plan for expenditures for the following year’s budget?

Definition

Personnel salaries and benefits
Programs needed
The amount of lottery money available
Fixed costs such as utilities

Term

What are major sources of information that must be reviewed in order to determine how much money a district will get (REVENUE) the following year?

Definition

Enrollment projections, ADA projections, COLA, categorical funds, lottery
Enrollment projections, ADA projections, truancy, new programs desired
Enrollment projections, demographic changes, family structures, state economy
ADA projections, the amount of COLA, cash flow problems, business partnerships

Term

Which of the following has not been a factor in creating enrollment growth in California?

Definition

1950’s baby boom
The length of the California School Year
Immigrants coming in
Migration from other states

Term

The number of school districts in California is about

Definition

5000
2000
1000
500

Term

The average annual amount California spends per student (per ADA) is about

Definition

The average annual amount California spends per student (per ADA) is about
$5000
$2500
$7300
$10,000

Term

The percentage of language minority students (whose home language is other and English) in California public schools is approximately

Definition

35%
15%
25%
40%

Term

Which of the following is not a good ending for this sentence: Vouchers for students to attend private or participating public schools is

Definition

An indication that parents want more options
A political issue
Related to the theme of choice
A long-standing democratic tradition

Term

According to a comprehensive study y the California Department of Educaiton in 1989, the CBO should have expertise in which of the following four areas?

Definition

Accounting, staff evaluation, staff development, economics
Business operations, collective bargaining, accounting, economics
Strategic planning, professional development, inventory control, legal procedures
Business operations, accounting, hiring procedures, program development

Term

The following three elements are incorporated in the account codes

Definition

Incomes, expenditures, budget control
Historical, incremental, zero-based, revenue limit
Strategic planning, categorical programs, revenue limit
Site/department, object/services, program/activity

Term

Incremental or historical budgeting means

Definition

The starting point is the prior year budget
The budget is built in small increments
Historical factors of the prior 10 years have priority in expenditures
Have little to do with allocating funds for salaries and benefits

Term

The areas into which a budget is organized are prescribed by

Definition

The California Department of Education
The needs of the local school sites
The school district governing boards
The federal government

Term

In California, the proportion of school district monies for K-12 education which comes from the state is about

Definition

90%
10%
Half
Two thirds

Term

The major portion of a district’s income is from

Definition

Local property taxes
The revenue limit
The COLA
Categorical programs

Term

Certificates of Participation (COP’s) are

Definition

A way to provide loans (long-term financing) for school districts
A method of determining involvement of stakeholders
Included the revenue part of the budget
Used for certifying a district’s financial stability

Term

All district revenues are placed in which account?

Definition

8000 series
7000 series
A special state account
A local revenue account

Term

The object code categories which comprise the largest expenditures in most school districts’ budgets are

Definition

5000 series (contracted services, including utilities)
1000-3000 (salaries and benefits)
The general fund categories combined
Restricted funds

Term

Most districts spend at least the following percentage of their budget on personnel costs

Definition

50%
95%
66%
85%

Term

Which type of fund is required for all districts

Definition

Which type of fund is required for all districts
General fund
Special reserve fund for capital outlay projects
Debt service
Student body

Term

Revenue Limit income

Definition

Makes up most of the districts general fund
Is mostly unrestricted
Is the amount of money a district may receive for general purposes
All of the above

Term

Which of the following has not been found to be a signal that may lead to fiscal insolvency

Definition

Which of the following has not been found to be a signal that may lead to fiscal insolvency
Small beginning and ending balance
Unrealistic bargaining contracts
Lack of experience in key personnel
Increasing enrollment

Term

Which factor is the most significant factor in determining the per pupil cost of education

Definition

Teachers’ salaries
Administrators’ salaries
Student-teacher ratio (class size)
Cost of new buildings

Term

What is the largest and most active fund of a school district which contains such expenditures as salaries, benefits, textbooks, and instructional supplies

Definition

Special reserve fund
Proprietary fund
Child development fund
General fund

Term

Two of the highest funded categorical aid programs from the federal government include

Definition

Child nutrition (for district food services) and year round incentives
ECIA Title 1 and Child Nutrition
Transportation aid and GATE
School Improvement Program (SIP) and adult education

Term

A trend in the 1980’s – 1990’s which affected the number of categorical programs funded both in California and form the federal level was

Definition

Increase in students from other countries
Requirements of school site councils
Consolidation
encroachment

Term

Who has the legal responsibility to establish regulation and procedures for student body organizations and student body funds

Definition

The school principal
School boards
The state legislature
The student council

Term

What type of information does a financial audit not provide for school districts

Definition

Financial condition of the district
Accounting methods used by staff
Impact of financial expenditures on educational programs
Compliance with laws and regulations

Term

What must student body organizations do to make sure they are properly and legally functioning?

Definition

Have a constitution stating the purpose of the organization
Keep minutes of all meetings
Establish policies and procedures for elections of officers, fund-raisers, expenditure approvals
All of the above

Term

Who must approve all fund raisers

Definition

The school board
The student council and the faculty sponsor
The principal
The principal and the student council

Term

Non-cafeteria food items on elementary school campuses

Definition

May not be sold during the school day
May be sold after the noon meal has been served
May be sold anytime between 8:00 and 3:00
Are not regulated by state and federal laws

Term

The following are legitimate fund raisers for student body organizations

Definition

Rummage sales
Raising funds for textbooks when the district has run out of money
Raising funds for special academic awards for outstanding students
Raffles to repair computer equipment

Term

The cost of educating a special education student is

Definition

Very slightly larger than a regular education student
About three to seven times larger than a regular education student
Not a concern to most school districts because of special federal grants
Paid for by the state

Term

Special education “encroachment” on the general education budget in school districts is usually

Definition

About 5%
20%-25%
Not a problem for most districts
Taken care of by federal funds

Term

Trends in food service programs include

Definition

Consolidation
Decentralization
Customer orientation
Reducation of personnel

Term

Which of these is not a requirement of the California Master Plan for Special Education?

Definition

Least restrictive environment
Individualized Education Plan
Seek individuals with exceptional needs
Employ legal counsel for fair hearings

Term

A work order system

Definition

Is not necessary in smaller districts
Describes the purchase order of a piece of equipment
Is established when districts need to track the whereabouts of their staff
Helps track labor hours and material costs spent on repair jobs

Term

What percent of California schools were considered in inadequate condition by the U.S. Government General Accounting Office?

Definition

25%
51%
2/3
87%

Term

The primary effect of Proposition 13 on financing school construction has been

Definition

A shift of local control to the state
Required a 2/3 voter requirement on GO bonds
Reduced taxes by eliminating ad valorem taxes
Required an equalization gor law-wealth districts

Term

Before Proposition 13, how did school districts fund their school constrution?

Definition

Through state funds
Through federal funds
Through local property taxes
Through loans from private sources

Term

Districts who are approved to get construction funds for the state’s Leroy Greene Lease/Purchase Program must

Definition

Meet eligibility requirements
Provide matching local funds
Go through a complex process
All of the above

Term

Some proven advantages of Class Size Reduction include

Definition

Higher student achievement on standardized tests
Improvement in instructional strategies
More effective utilization of facilities
Positive teacher attitudes

Term

What are two ways to determine whether parents or guardians are “indigent” (two answers)

Definition

Notarized statement
Qualify for free an reduced lunch
Receive AFDC
Home visit by school official

Term

T or F

Definition

The Federal Government has generally been involved in education by supplementing budgets for special needs

Term

T or F

Definition

Education is a regarded as a public but not a private good.

Term

T or F

Definition

The purpose of a district budget calendar is to guarantee financial solvency

Term

T or F

Definition

California is among the highest in the nation in the amount of per-pupil expenditures for education.

Term

T or F

Definition

A district’s ADA is usually slightly greater than its student enrollment

Term

T or F

Definition

Multilingual/multiethnic diversity in California exceeds all other states

Term

T or F

Definition

Enrollment projections are one of the most important activities to estimate future revenue.

Term

T or F

Definition

In California, most of the funding for K-12 education comes from the state

Term

T or F

Definition

Increases or decreases in the revenue limit are determined by the district school board

Term

T or F

Definition

All districts must conduct a public hearing on the budget each year

Term

T or F

Definition

By law, a “school year” for California students is 180 days

Term

T or F

Definition

Most School Districts in California are Elementary Districts

Term

T or F

Definition

Categorical funds are earmarked for specific purposes

Term

t or F

Definition

California requires a credential for the Chief Business Officials(CBO) of school districts

Term

T or f

Definition

Program budgeting assists in determining the cost effectiveness of various programs

Term

t or F

Definition

The PPBS system of program budgeting is fairly simple to use and allows for site-based budget decisions

Term

t or F

Definition

The general education unrestricted area of the budget included special education resource specialist programs (RSP).

Term

T or f

Definition

Sales Tax is an example of a consumption tax

Term

T or f

Definition

The purpose of the COLA is to help keep up with inflation

Term

T or f

Definition

Districts may charge parents to transport regular education students to and from school

Term

t or F

Definition

Based on a recent California court decision, districts may ask parents to pay for their childrens’ textbooks and school supplies.

Term

T or f

Definition

Districts should classify each expenditure by designating the appropriate program and object codes on requisitions submitted by departments

Term

t or F

Definition

The County Superintendent’s office has no significant role in the relation to budgets of school districts

Term

T or f

Definition

Line item budgets are most commonly used by school districts for their general fund budget.

Term

t or F

Definition

Reliance on property taxes as a major source of school revenues is the best way to guarantee fiscal equity among school districts

Term

T or f

Definition

One of the major impacts of Proposition 13 was the higher level of state aid now in the funding formula for K-12 education

Term

T or f

Definition

Proposition 98 established a constitutionally-based minimum funding floor for K-14 education

Term

T or f

Definition

The Serrano vs. Priest decision is based on violations of the California State Constitution

Term

t or F

Definition

Full compliance with Serrano v. Priest requires equal expenditures per pupil throughout the state

Term

T or f

Definition

The California School Accounting Manual contains the account codes districts must use for revenues and expenditures.

Term

T or f

Definition

Categorical aid programs tend to require greater control than basic revenues.

Term

T or f

Definition

AB1200 was passed as a result of bankruptcy of some school districts.

Term

t or F

Definition

A school district that has shown responsible financial accounting for a substantial period of years is not required to conduct an annual audit

Term

T or f

Definition

Categorical funds may be distributed based on enrollment or eligibility formulae

Term

t or F

Definition

Annual school district audits may be conducted by in-house fiscal advisors

Term

T or f

Definition

Sale of food items on campus must be authorized by the school board

Term

t or F

Definition

Student organizations receive an allocation of revenue from the district to operate their programs

Term

t or F

Definition

Annual external audits for student body funds are not required- only periodic internal audits

Term

T or f

Definition

Excess costs refers to deficits caused by encroachment

Term

T or f

Definition

The California Supreme Court has ruled that it is legal for districts to charge parents for student transportation to and from school, unless parents or guardians are “indigent” of for special education

Term

T or f

Definition

The term operations refers to a district’s housekeeping routines that keep the school plants functional

Term

T or f

Definition

Repairs and replacement of facilities and equipment is a maintenance function

Term

t or F

Definition

Contracting out of food services has been clearly shown to be superior in terms of food quality and of financial success to food prepared in-house in school district cafeterias

Term

T or f

Definition

A school district’s policies on maintenance and operations should include the district’s philosophy on contracting out of services

Term

t or F

Definition

Food Services monies are placed in the district’s general fund

Term

t or F

Definition