Authentic assessment grew out of a concern that

Question 1

Overseeing the administration of teacher licensure requirements, organizing programs of study, supervising elementary and secondary education program assessment, and applying school finance laws are all tasks of

the chief state school officer.

the state department of education.

the federal Department of Education.

the school principal.

2 points

Question 2

Many believe that the movement for statewide standards testing has resulted in all of the following except

state educational policymakers directing financial assistance for underperforming school districts.

federal policymakers taking over control of underperforming schools.

curriculum becoming more narrowly-defined and tightly focused.

lower socioeconomic communities failing tests at higher rates than higher socioeconomic communities.

2 points

Question 3

Parents who home school their children strongly believe that they can provide a better education for their child than the public school. Parents cite reasons for home schooling that include

Concerns about the moral climate in public schools

Religious objections to the content taught in schools

The absence of particular courses of study

All of the above

2 points

Question 4

In a constructivist approach to learning, learners

actively make their own meaning from new knowledge.

learn new facts and knowledge without questioning them.

question all new information.

believe that there are no universal truths since all truths are relative.

2 points

Question 5

Joshua is a high school history teacher who believes that his role as teacher extends to teaching his ninth-grade students certain core values, such as honesty, justice, kindness, and respect. Which of the following would most likely be found in Joshua's classroom?

A multiple-choice test on important events in World War II

A geography unit identifying the locations of all the major battles of World War II

A fine arts unit in which students develop appreciation for the music and dance of the United States in the 1940s

A discussion of the responsibilities of the United States toward Europe in the early 1940s

2 points

Question 6

Ryan and Cooper contend that the “Tools for Learning,” a set of academic learning skills, ought to be a major component of school reform because these skills

can train students' thinking so as to make them more efficient learners.

provide job training to make high school students more marketable.

keep students from mixing up facts.

help students do better on standardized tests.

2 points

Question 7

The typical holder of this position is white, male, and college-educated, and has a managerial or professional job unrelated to the position. The position is

state superintendent.

school principal.

local school board member.

state department curriculum specialist.

2 points

Question 8

Which of the following most aptly characterizes the historical stance that business has had toward public education?

Business was and still is interested in educational efficiency, standardization, and productivity.

Business was interested in standardization and regulation; now, it is almost exclusively concerned with commercialization of education.

Business was more concerned with efficiency and quantitative evaluation; now, it is much more concerned with authentic evaluation and student satisfaction.

Business used to be exclusively concerned with productivity; now, business is exclusively concerned with educational expenditures, seeking to lower costs.

2 points

Question 9

Ms.Pfluger is interviewing for a teaching position in the Florham Park school system. According to school management and organization, which of the following is the formal hiring authority?

Building principal

Assistant superintendent of instruction

Local school board

School superintendent

2 points

Question 10

Susan Breiner has just completed interviewing two prospective faculty members, has sent in a large teaching supply order, has proofread the new school discipline policy written by a team of teachers, and has reviewed the school budget for the next academic year. Based upon those activities, what is Susan?

Department chairperson

Superintendent of schools

Assistant superintendent of personnel

School principal

2 points

Question 11

Mrs. Jones is finding her morals challenged by the newly implemented curriculum. She wants to recommend the curriculum be reviewed. Who should she approach?

State legislature

Superintendent of Schools

State Superintendent

School board

2 points

Question 12

Title I was designed to provide federal funds to divisions for

education of special needs students and hiring of instructional aides.

reading instruction for ESL students and supplementary services for families of these students.

reading instruction only for low-achieving students.

education of students from low-income families and supplement services to low-achieving students.

2 points

Question 13

Any successful reform of education will require

the approval of Congress.

funding from the federal government.

the active participation of the teachers involved.

the creation of a new body to oversee the changes.

2 points

Question 14

During recent presidential elections, hundreds of thousands of educators have been mobilized to support a particular party platform and the candidate endorsed by that party. Which organization has been instrumental in influencing the educators to support a particular candidate?

National Association of School Boards

National Education Association

Association of Teacher Educators

National Parent Teacher Association

2 points

Question 15

Which of the following is not listed as a key element of true school reform as defined by Ryan and Cooper?

Active learning

Lifelong learning

A sense of community

School choice

2 points

Question 16

Authentic assessment grew out of a concern that

student performance was declining on standardized tests.

the emphasis on standardized test scores caused a narrow application of lower-order thinking skills.

multiple-choice tests were too difficult for the majority of students.

students were focusing on critical-thinking skills and not performing well on competency tests.

2 points

Question 17

Joining the discussion for educational reform with former President Obama was Steve Jobs of Apple, Inc. His suggestion for reform included which idea?

The need for more tech schools, community colleges, and trade schools to teach basic engineering to American students for skills in manufacturing.

Digitalize all student textbooks, materials, and assessments, to be interactive and individual to each student.

Treat teachers as professionals

All of the above

2 points

Question 18

The state of Illinois wants to establish a policy regarding its public education in the twenty-first century. Illinois wants to create a broad-based policy outlining its priorities and establishing its goals for the state's students. Which agency would issue this policy?

The state department of education

The federal Department of Education

The local school boards

The state board of education

2 points

Question 19

Ms. Mildred teaches a fifth-grade class in which she applies a constructivist approach to learning. What would Ms. Mildred's classroom probably look like?

Students sit quietly in their seats and work independently on worksheets.

Mildred does a lot of whole-class instruction, presenting lecture-type lessons.

Students make frequent use of library resources to prepare written reports on various assigned topics in social studies and science.

Students work on projects in small groups or independently. There are a lot of hands-on activities.

2 points

Question 20

What effect did the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution have upon public education?

The state department of education was established.

Legal responsibility for school governance was delegated to the states.

Responsibility for the majority of funding for public education was assumed by the federal government.

Equal educational opportunity was guaranteed for all.

2 points

Question 21

A benefit of home education cited by parents that make this choice is

Students develop the habit of learning so they are not dependent on instructors

The slower student does not miss out on foundational skills because the other students are ready to move on

The advanced student is not held back and made to repeat exercises she has already learned

All of the above

2 points

Question 22

Smaller schools are often a recommended component of school reform because they

are less expensive to operate.

require a smaller administrative staff and less cost.

allow for a greater sense of community within the school.

make it easier to keep track of books and supplies.

2 points

Question 23

Although much debate revolves around whether schools should teach values—and if so, which values—character educators maintain that students

have a moral “Teflon coating” and absorb little teaching of values.

are constantly and unavoidably learning values from their teachers, so it would be beneficial to formalize this instruction in the curriculum.

practice good moral behavior already and have little need for character education.

have such a narrow focus on academics that they block out any other instruction.

2 points

Question 24

What is the foundational reason for which school choice is advocated considering the phrase “parents as educational consumers?”

Free market principles suggest that “more choice equals more competition equals better products (better educated students) at lower prices”.

Charter schools are the best option available in the school choice discussion.

Over and under performing schools should be provided with the same resources to teach students.

All students should be free to attend their school of choice.

2 points

Question 25

Which governing body deals mainly with personnel performance?

Chief State School Officer

Local school board

State board of Education

State Department of Education