School Leaders Licensure Assessment Questions From: SLLA Crash Course (2017)

SLLA Review Questions
Wafa Hozien, Ph.D.
whozien@vsu.edu
Note: Answers to Questions are at the End.

Ready. Set. Go.
• Clear a Space for Learning.
• Take out a Sheet of Blank Paper.
• Take this short quiz several times.
• Until you get all the answers correct.
• See the other Questions I have posted online.
• Refer to ets.org for SLLA Exam Guidelines.
• Practice Weekly Prior to taking Exam.

Q1A. Student Learning
• Ms. Weiss, the new principal of Timberlane Middle
School, reviews the results of several batteries of
standardized tests. She finds a wide discrepancy in the
achievement levels of different student groups in the
school. She decides to investigate further by
interviewing students, parents and teachers and
evaluating the school climate.
• To get an understanding of learning, at Timberlane, Ms.
Weiss observes students in a variety of school settings.
The clearest indication that the needs of all students
are not being met would be the observation that
particular groups of students:

Q1A: Student Learning
• The clearest indication that the needs of all
students are not being met would be the
observation that particular groups of students:
A. are socializing primarily with peers from their
cultural background.
B. sometimes require modifications or support as
part of their instructional plans.
C. are adopting behaviors of schoolmates from
other cultural groups.
D. exhibit lack of confidence and motivation
regarding schoolwork.

Q2A: Teacher Communication
• Ms. Weiss suggests that all students would
have a better chance to succeed if teachers
developed effective communication with the
students’ families. The teachers agree, but
they point out that some families seem
reluctant to talk to them. Which of the
following steps should Ms. Weiss suggest that
teachers try first to facilitate communication
with these families?

Q2A: Teacher Communication
Which of the following steps should Ms. Weiss suggest that teachers
try first to facilitate communication with these families?
A. Telephoning each family to ask how the teacher can help make
school/home communication more comfortable for them
B. Drafting a letter to distribute to all families explaining the
importance of frequent interaction and communication between
teachers and families
C. Examining their own interactions with families to determine
whether they as teachers have been sensitive to cultural and language
differences
D. Asking school counselors to meet with students from various
cultural backgrounds to discover better ways to approach the students’
families

3A: IEP in the Making
• During the course of the school year, a student
with severe learning disabilities joined a regular
second grade classroom. The teacher received a
copy of the students IEP. After an observation
was done the principal notes that some of the IEP
provisions were not being adhered to.
• What should be the principal’s initial step to help
the teacher understand his responsibility for
following the IEP?

Q3A: IEP in the Making
What should be the principal’s initial step to help the
teacher understand his responsibility for following the
IEP?
A. Talk with the teacher to communicate the concerns
raised by the observation and to offer resources for
support.
B. Give a copy of the federal law explaining the teacher’s
requirement for providing an inclusive education.
C. Discuss with the teacher and the IEP team to review
the student’s IEP again.
D. Meet with the IEP team to determine a new placement
for the student.

Question One: Allocation of Funds
• Randolph High school was allocated district-based
funds to support its efforts to improve student
achievement. Student achievement in math and
science has declined significantly over the past two
years and the School Improvement Team has been
charged with recommending options to the principal
on how to best utilize the funds. Teachers have
complained that past remediation funds were not
utilized correctly and students suffered due to the
inequity.
• Which of the following options would best insure that
those students who need the most assistance can take
advantage of the remedial instruction funds allocated?

Q1: Funding Allocation
A) Evenly allocate remediation funds by grade levels and ask the
grade-level teams to develop a plan for using the funds to improve
student achievement.
B) Allocate the bulk of the funds to the 9th and 10th grade level
teams as these grades normally have the most low-performing
students.
C) Allocate the bulk of the funds to the upper class grade levels
(11th & 12th) to insure that more students are graduating and results
from its use can be proven.
D) Allocate the funds to subject area(s) based upon an
examination of data which identifies which have the most need and
will benefit the students the most.
E) Allow individual teachers to request the funds thru an
application process that will allocate the funds based upon the best
applications.

Question 2: Leadership Style
• The new Principal of Mitchell Middle School completed a
comprehensive Needs Assessment for the school and was
ready to share the results with the School Improvement
Team (SIP). One of the areas that were identified for
improvement was the development and implementation of
policies and procedures. The faculty and staff commented
that while all were aware of these policies; lax enforcement
and clarity often led to uneven distribution of work and
seldom were any consequences for those following the
policies. Recognizing this as vital to the success of the
school, the team called upon the principal to develop a
plan.
• Which of the following options best exhibits a leadership
style that will insure accountability and effectiveness?

Q2: Answer Choices
A) The principal should institute an incentive program for
faculty and staff who come to work on time each day and do
not take more than three sick days per year
B) The principal should begin a formative evaluation program
that offers stiff penalties and consequences for faculty and
staff who do not adhere to policies
C) The principal should ask the School Improvement Team for
recommendations on how policies and procedures can best
be developed, implemented and evaluated
D) The principal should begin a comprehensive evaluation
program that will offer incentives and consequences to insure
teachers are adhering to all of the policies

Question 3: Passing the Test
• The principal of April Middle School was just received
notice from the School Board lawyer that federal law
mandates that students who fail to pass the state
standardized end of course tests in Math and Reading
in the 8th grade will not be allowed to enter the 9th
grade even if they earned passing final grades in the
course. He fully understands that this will cause some
confusion and anger among parents as he notes that
this requirement will mean that over 40 students must
be retained and 85% of them are African-American
males.
• Which of the following is the best strategy to explain
this new law to parents and the community?

Q3: Answer Choices
A) The principal should talk to the parents on a case by case basis as
they come into question the new law and corresponding policy
B) The Principal should send out a automatic call to all parents in the
school district to explain the law and its ramifications for their children
C) The Principal should call a meeting of all of the parents and students
who are directly affected by the new law and inform them of the
specific of the legislation
D) The Principal should use a multi-faceted approach that includes
newsletters, websites, conferences as well information sessions to
completely discuss and explain the law
E) The Principal should send out a news letter which outlines the new
federal and state laws and the responsibility of the school to adhere to
the new law

Question 4: Latin Issue
At a community forum to address school reform efforts;
the principal has developed a brochure that outlines the
major points of the school-wide initiatives. Greenview
Middle school has a significant number of Latino students
who have limited English Language skills and are low
income. The new plan requires that all parents select
supplementary services for their children if they are
failing. 69% of African American parents returned them,
while only 18% of Latino parents have submitted their
choice for their child’s services. The Brochure was written
in English as well as Spanish.
• Which of these could most likely be the reason that
Latino Parents did not respond to the survey?

• A) It is possible that some Latino parents may be
illiterate and unable to read even in their native
language.
• B) The Latino student did not want to disappoint their
parents by giving them the information and therefore
many of the parents did not receive the information
• C) The Latino parents do not believe that their
children need the supplementary services as they are
not necessary for them to be successful
• D) It is a proven fact that poor and limited language
parents do not care about their child’s education

Question 5: The Valedicatorian
• Two days prior to graduation ceremonies at Kura Senior High,
Daniel, the Valedicatorian admits in writing to the assistant
principal that he cheated on his final senior project. He is
remorseful and asked the AP what he should do. The AP he
approached has a senior daughter who would directly benefit from
his disqualification as she is currently Salutatorian of the class. The
state currently offers a full scholarship with stipend to all
Valedictorians and a 50% scholarship to Salutatorians to any state
university. One day before the ceremony; he approaches the AP
again and retracts his story and tells him it was a joke asking him to
destroy the letter.
• Which of the following options would most closely exhibit a
professional code of ethics that a public school administrator
should have?

• A) The AP should ask the student to admit his
mistake to the principal
• B) The AP should immediately suspend Daniel
for cheating and notify his parents
• C) The AP should keep quiet about the entire
affair as it was a joke
• D) The AP should inform the superintendent that
he is suspending the student
• E) The AP should inform the principal of the
entire incident and let him act

Question 6: HIV Teacher
• Sarah Abraham, a chemistry teacher has approached
the principal of Loyalty High School and shared with
him that she is H.I.V. positive and that she fears that if
this information gets out to parents and her follow
faculty members – she will be ostracized and shunned.
During a student altercation, Ms. Abraham is injured
while trying to break up the fight. Her nose begins to
bleed and some of the fluid spills on the floor. The
principal is faced with a decision on whether he should
let the students and parents know that the teacher is
infected.
• Which of the following is the best option for him to
take?

• A. Immediately contact the parents of the students and all
other persons who were near the fight and inform them of
Ms. Abraham’s status and urge them to get tested.
• B. Encourage Ms. Abraham to approach the students and
their parents and inform them that she is HIV positive and
that they should get tested.
• C. Remove Ms. Abraham from duty as she is obviously
endangering the lives of her students and her fellow faculty
members.
• D. Insure that the area is cleaned and decontaminated –
treat the incident the same as any other that has injuries
and bodily fluids spilled on the floor.

Question 7: Model Respect
• At a recent School Board meeting; a group of Latino
parents have made a statement that the high school
that their children attend does not respect their
culture. The parents stated that their children cannot
participate in a significant number of activities and
even some sports because of their limited ability to
speak and understand English. The Superintendent has
directed the principal to meet with the parents and
report back to him on how he resolved the situation.
• Which of the following is the best option for the
principal to take prior to reporting back to the
Superintendent?

• A. Meet with the Latino parents and inform them that they
can come to school and assist their students when they
attend the after-school activities if they wanted to.
• B. Meet with the Latino parents and offer them additional
resources that will include ESL classes and inform them
they cannot participate until their skills improve
• C. Meet with the Latino parents, offer additional resources
to help them both learn English and hire a Spanish-
speaking teacher to aid them with activities
• D. Meet with the Latino parents and inform them that their
children should take additional English classes and possibly
participate when they can speak it better.

Question 8: Trending On Facebook
• The teachers have informed the principal of Clifton High school that
one of the senior students has developed a Facebook Page that has
a negative parody of the school and the assistant principal. The
student developed the Facebook Page at home on his own personal
laptop and supports its development and existence with his own
personal funds. A growing number of students have accessed the
Facebook Page and have began to make disparaging remarks about
the Facebook Page in the presence of the assistant principal. When
the principal saw the Facebook Page, she suspended the student
immediately for ten (10) days and has requested expulsion. The
parents of the students are very irate and have scheduled an
appeals hearing with the principal.
• Which of these is the best course of action for the principal during
the appeals hearing with the parents of the suspended website
developer student?

• A) Reinstate the student but forbid him to develop any
more Facebook Pages either at school or at home without
the written permission of school administration.
• B) Reinstate the student and inform the parents that the
suspension was an infringement on the student’s freedom
of speech protected by the US Constitution.
• C) Uphold the suspension and inform the parents that
students do not have the same level of freedom of speech
as adults and because the student was disrespectful the
suspension was warranted.
• D) Inform the parents that the suspension stands because
the student engaged in disruptive behavior and was
disrespectful to an administrator.

Question 9: Athletic Testing
• The basketball coach of Wayne Valley High school came into the
locker room and notified the players who had been randomly
selected for drug testing to come to the training room to give a
sample to the representative from Lab Services. Lab Services had
the contract with the school district to complete drug testing for
employees, student-athletes, and other personnel. Eight players
were selected and all eight submitted a sample but results came
back for everyone except Athlete #16. The student was told by the
coach to submit another sample but the student refused to offer
the second sample saying that it violated his rights. The coach
informed the student that he was therefore suspended from the
team and may face a year-long suspension from athletics for non-
compliance. The parents of the student protested and appealed to
the principal and School Board.
• Which of the following options would best adhere to the policy and
protect the student’s rights?

• A) Allow the student to participate without giving a
urine sample and verifying that he is drug-free. He
should not be punished for their error.
• B) Suspend him immediately as his refusal to give a
sample is proof that his is abusing drugs.
• C) Allow the student to give a urine sample to his own
doctor so that it will be more carefully monitored and
the results will be sent to the school
• D) Instruct the student to give the urine sample as
directed or face the penalty. His giving another sample
does not violate the policy.

Question 10: The Bully
• An irate parent stood up at the Grant Lee School Parent
Teacher Association meeting and told the principal that
her daughter has been bullied so much by some of her
classmates that she refuses to come to school. Soon
several other parents spoke about some of the same
challenges they have to get their children to school
because they fear for their safety. They immediately
asked the principal what she would do to end the
offensive behavior that was harming so many students.
The principal immediately organized a committee to
develop strategies to combat bullying in their school.

• The committee found that effective programs
include all of the following Except:
• A) Increase supervision.
• B) Begin when children are young.
• C) Teach inclusion.
• D) Teach children to take a stand by fighting
back if accosted

Q11: Vision Matters
• After several years of declining test scores, the new
principal of Emerging High School has been directed to
begin a comprehensive restructuring process for the
school. The principal has met with the Improvement
Committee to revise the vision and mission statements
and develop goals and objectives for a three year plan
towards school improvement.
• 1) Which of the following would be the most effective
strategy for the collection of data to use for the
development of academic goals and objectives?

Q11: Answer Choices
A) Ask the previous principal and administrative team to prepare a
presentation that will highlight the areas that need the most
improvement with accompanying data
B) Interview subject area teachers from each department and use this
qualitative data to develop academic goals and objectives
C) Examine and utilize state and federal academic report cards which
include quantitative data from the schools past three years
D) Start fresh by using the current goals and objectives for one year
then developing new goals and objectives for the next year based
upon that data
E) Collect both qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources
utilizing members of the committee.

Answers to Questions
• 1A: D 2A: C
• 3A: A is answer. This question focuses on how a school leader can help teachers
understand their legal responsibilities under IDEA. It is the responsibility of the
principal to clarify the teachers obligations, hear concerns offer solutions and
informed compliance.
• 1. (D) – All decisions need to be data driven and while other options offer more
equal distribution
• 2. Best Answer (C) – the SIP should offer recommendations to improve the policies
and procedures as that offers input from all stakeholders and allows feedback for
these proposals in addition to building consensus.
• 3. D) – It is important that not only do the current students understand the new
law but also that all students that it might affect have the information. The
principal must allow for opportunities to discuss the current plight of those
affected students in conferences and calls. The more information that is
disseminated multiple ways significantly increases knowledge and decreases
confusion and misinformation.
• 4. (A) – Recent research has shown that a significant number of Latino adults who
immigrate to this nation are also barely literate in their native language.
• 5. (E) – The Assistant Principal should immediately inform the principal of the
entire incident and allow the principal to take the lead in the incident.

Answers to Questions
• 6. (D) – Principals must protect confidential information
about students as well as employees. The district and state
has polices that protect medical record confidentiality.
• 7. (C) – Insuring that these students have both the
educational resources to be successful in and outside of the
classroom will improve their experience as well a enrich the
culture of the school.
• 8. (C) is the best strategy. (D,B Unacceptable, A is a
violation of student rights)
• 9. D – (Best answer) In Vernonia School District v. Acton
(1995) The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the school
district on random drug testing of student athletes.
• 10. D – is not acceptable and therefore is the best answer.
• 11. E.

Retake same Questions
• Ways to Improve:
• Retake SLLA Questions every week.
• Practice, Practice and Practice.
• Even if they are the same questions.
• You need to get used to the format of the
questions, the style and the language.
• Comments? whozien@vsu.edu

School Leaders Licensure Assessment Questions From: SLLA Crash Course (2017)

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