SLLA REVIEW SESSIONSLLA REVIEW SESSIONSchool Leaders Licensure Assessment Preparation

Wafa Hozien, Ph.D.Education Administrationwhozien@vsu.eduVirginia State University

Getting StartedGetting Started

Jigsaw Activity: In groups of two:Brainstorm key terms associated with

the standard assigned to your group.

ISLLC StandardsISLLC StandardsStandard 1: Setting a widely shared vision

for learningStandard 2: Developing a school culture and

instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth

Standard 3: Ensuring effective management of the organization, operation, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment 

Standard 4: Collaborating with faculty and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources

Standard 5: Acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner

Standard 6: Understanding, responding to, and influencing the political, social, legal, and  cultural contexts

STANDARD 1: ◦ Vision of Learning

Facilitation Challenges Strategic Planning Leadership Capacity Stakeholder

Involvement Collaborative Develop & Implement Collect data Assess effectiveness Promote learning Continuous &

Sustainable improvement

Monitor & Evaluate Modeling the vision

STANDARD 2:◦ Instructional

Leadership Culture Instructional Program Student Learning Professional Growth Climate Nurture & Sustain High Expectation Comprehensive,

Rigorous Motivating learning env. Supervision Assessment &

Accountability systems Monitor progress Leadership capacity Quality Instruction Technologies Change

Standard 3◦ School Operations

Coordinating Organizing Planning Resource acquisition &

management Ensure safety Monitor, evaluate

management & operations

Obtain, allocate, utilize Promote and protect Distributive leadership Support quality

instruction Consensus building Quality Personnel

Standard 4◦ School Community

Relations Diversity Assess interests and needs Utilize community resources Collaboration Collect and analyze data Promote understanding,

appreciation of diversity Build and sustain positive

relationships Build and sustain productive

relationships Emerging issues and trends Involve stakeholders School decision-making

process Visibility Value Diversity

Standard 5◦ Integrity, Ethics, Fair

Integrity, Fairness, Ethics

System of accountability Academic & social

success Self awareness Reflective practice Transparency Ethical Behavior Values of democracy Evaluate potential moral

and legal consequences Promote social justice Meet individual student

needs Decision quality

Standard 6◦ Political, Social,

Economic and Legal Context Political Social Economic Legal Culture Advocate for children,

families, caregivers Influence student learning Assess and analyze Anticipate trends Open dialogue Law Model strategies Communication

Administration and Administration and Supervision Candidates Supervision Candidates

MUST speak the language!MUST speak the language!

Test Format Test Format

Section I– 100 multiple choice questions—140 minutes--worth 70 percent of the test

Section II--7 shorter constructed response types of questions in which you have only 10-12 minutes to answer each —100 minutes--worth 30 percent of the test

Test FormatTest Format – Revolves Around ISLLC – Revolves Around ISLLC StandardsStandards

Vision and goals—20 % of exam., 18MC, 2 CRTeaching and learning—30% of exam., 25 MC, 3

CRManaging organizational systems and safety—

10% of exam., 15 MC, O CRCollaboration with Key Stakeholders—15% of

exam, 21 MC, 0 CREthics and Integrity—15% of exam, 21 MC, 0 CRThe Educational System—10% of exam, 0 MC, 2

CR

Preparing for SLLAPreparing for SLLA

Practice in dealing with problems in a quick, yet effective manner (connected to what you have learned in classes and noted from ISLLC standards) is the best approach in preparing for the test

Use the ETS resource book available online

Preparing for the exam:Preparing for the exam:Know the STANDARDS but no need to

memorize, but have a great understanding of the descriptors related to each (activity we did earlier)

Think about the type of school leader identified in the Standards and prepare to respond to test questions in a Standards-relevant way

Be aware of the amount of time allocated for each section

Continued Preparation of Continued Preparation of SLLASLLASample Questions and Scoring Criteria

—study sample questions and scoring guides

Make sure responses demonstrate a sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge

To get the highest score—ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE QUESTION

Constructed Response Constructed Response

Key to successfully answering the Constructed Response test questions is to focus on the key words in the ISLLC Standards

Review all the CR questions and select the easiest ones for you…and do those first

Read the complete CR and any supporting documents

Mentally think through your solution to the problem (as you would in real-life)

Constructed Response Constructed Response Pace yourself—Watch your watch—10 minutes

per question with time at the end to go back and review

Plan, write and review

Answer each question in the space provided—writing in the margins or other incorrect locations could allow the item to not be scored correctly

Review your responses—go back and evaluate for content, organization, clarity, and accuracy…answer ALL questions

ResponseResponseSpecifically addresses Professional

Development/Training IssuesRecognizes difficulty of change or

fear of risks (ingrained practices)Teachers playing it safe for

evaluation observationsBelief that cooperative learning

doesn’t work for certain studentsDifficulty implementing cooperative

learning because of classroom management issues.

SAMPLE : Question 1SAMPLE : Question 1The leader of a middle school instructional

team comes to the principal, concerned that she is shouldering most of the burden of coordinating the instructional team’s planning for instruction. She feels increasingly resentful and angry at her team members. The principal expresses understanding of the teacher’s situation and, to help relieve the burden on her, appoints a new team leader . Do you agree with the principal’s action? Give a rationale citing factors that are relevant to a principal’s decisions in such situations.

1- Response includes SPECIFIC reference to at least one of the following

◦ the principal’s need to acquire more information about the situation before acting

◦the principal’s leadership includes assisting the team leader to succeed in the role and to enable the team to function well, or

◦a concern for team process and the involvement of stakeholders in making decisions, the importance of consensus building and conflict resolution

◦0—Response is vague, omits reference to any of the essential factors, or evaluates the principal’s action without qualification

Question 2Question 2A parent requests that her child be retained in first grade. Although the child missed two weeks of school due to chicken pox, the teacher believes that the child is intellectually, socially, and physically ready for second grade. The principal observes the child for one hour and concurs with her experienced teacher’s recommendation that the child be promoted to second grade. The principal decides that he must deny the parents request. Do you agree with this action? Give rationale, citing factors that are relevant to a principal’s decisions in such situations.

Scoring GuideScoring GuideResponse specifically cites the

principal’s need to acquire more information about the situation, plus one of the following:◦Parents have information and insights about

the child that the school would not have◦Part of the responsibility of school

leadership is share information with the parents about the possible consequences of retention.

◦Alternative instructional approaches to retention are suggested.

Question 3Question 3It is early December and the students

in an elementary school are practicing for the annual holiday concert. A parent phones the school to insist that her child not be required to sing any of the Christmas songs. The principal excuses the child from participation in the music practice. Do you agree with the principal’s action? Give a rationale, citing factors that are relevant to a principal’s decisions in such situations

Response Question 3Response Question 3

Question 4Question 4

The technology committee of a high school recommends the purchase of graphing calculators for the mathematics department. After checking with three vendors, the principal decides to authorize a contract to purchase them from the wife of a faculty member since she is able to offer a good price and will be readily available for help with instruction and for service. What are the issues raised by this decision?

Response Question 4Response Question 4

Individual Practice 1Individual Practice 1

Solve this ScenarioSolve this Scenario You are the newly assigned principal of

James Madison School, an elementary school with an excellent reputation in the area, enriched programs in all grades, and high level of parent participation. The district has embarked on a major initiative in cooperative learning. By and large, the school has experienced rapid growth as a result of extensive real estate development in the area. One change evident in the past five years is that a much smaller proportion of the student population now participates in lessons, classes, sports activities, and other educational and personal opportunities outside the scope of the school.

Solving the ScenarioSolving the Scenario

School Improvement Goals:◦To improve implementation of

cooperative learning in all classrooms

◦To improve achievement levels of all students in basic skills in the core areas: reading, writing, and mathematics

Solving This ScenarioSolving This Scenario Questions:

1. Based on your understanding of learning and teaching and larger educational issues, identify and describe the broader challenges faced by the school.

2. Evaluate the given school improvement plan in terms of its strengths and weaknesses. Describe the actions the principal should take to implement the plan and elicit community support.

Scoring RubricScoring RubricWell developed analysis and

synthesis of all documentsDescribe challenges faced by the

schoolEvaluation of Improvement Plan

(strengths and weaknesses)Multiple ways to elicit community

supportMultiple actions principal should

take

Multiple ChoiceMultiple ChoiceWhich of the following

◦Answer fits in “Which of the following”

Circle or underline critical detailsRead the entire questionRead all of the responses

Multiple Choice: Multiple Choice: Not, Least, Except Not, Least, Except

Select the choice that DOESN’T fitUsed when there are several good

answers, but also clearly wrong wayAlways capitalized…pay attention

Scenario & Document Scenario & Document BasedBasedAlways read through the scenario

and document BEFORE reading the question.

Don’t waste time taking notes or reading multiple times until after you’ve read once and then read the question.

OTHER HINTSOTHER HINTSAnswer MC in any orderThere are NO trick questionsAnswer patterns are a MYTHNo penalty for guessing. Score

based on number of correct responses

SKIP difficult questions and return if tiem permits

Watch the timeCheck your answers (the bubbles)

Group PracticeGroup Practice

Multiple ChoiceConstructed Responses

Student taking a break from Studying at University of Richmond.

ReferencesReferencesThe School Leadership Series:https://www.ets.org/slsRead the UCEA Review for regular

ISLLC Updates: http://ucea.org/ucea-review1/

Study Guide:SLLA Secrets Study Guide: SLLA Test

Review for the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (Mometrix Secrets Study Guides)

http://www.amazon.com/SLLA-Secrets-Study-Guide-Assessment/dp/1627339248