NES Superintendent Subtest II (811) Practice Tests

Competencies 05–06 make up about 50% of the test. They ask you to understand principles and practices of organizational management that support district improvement and help ensure success for every student; understand principles and practices of human resource management that drive improvement in the effectiveness of building level administrators, teachers, and other staff and that help ensure success for every student.

• Competency 0005: Understand principles and practices of organizational management that support district improvement and help ensure success for every student. Skills tested: applying knowledge of districts and schools as systems and skills and strategies for managing the organization and its resources to ensure access for all and continuous improvement; applying knowledge of how to monitor and evaluate district practices and procedures to ensure that teacher, administrator, and organizational time is focused on supporting effective instruction and student learning; demonstrating knowledge of data systems that provide actionable information and how to collect and use relevant data to identify organizational needs and priorities; demonstrating knowledge of how to strategically address organizational challenges and capitalize on organizational strengths in achieving district goals; applying knowledge of management skills and practices (e.g., group process, consensus building, communication, conflict resolution, team building, distributed leadership) and their use in solving problems, making decisions, and achieving success for every student; applying knowledge of change processes and how to initiate, manage, and evaluate organizational change; enable others to engage productively with change experiences; and navigate change in the midst of ambiguity and competing demands and interests; demonstrating knowledge of how to use technological tools and systems to improve operations and support effective management of the organization (e.g., managing information, facilitating communication and collaboration).
• Competency 0006: Understand principles and practices of human resource management that drive improvement in the effectiveness of building level administrators, teachers, and other staff and that help ensure success for every student. Skills tested: demonstrating knowledge of effective, equitable, and legal procedures for recruiting, hiring, assigning, retaining, evaluating, disciplining, and terminating personnel to support district goals and maximize achievement for all students; applying knowledge of how to develop, implement, and evaluate effective induction and mentoring programs for new personnel; applying knowledge of legal requirements and procedures for evaluating the performance of principals and teachers and for using principal and teacher evaluation systems to promote student academic growth; applying knowledge of how to use the evaluation process and relevant student data to provide principals, teachers, and other staff with ongoing, salient, informative, and actionable feedback and professional support and development focused on authentic problems and student outcomes; demonstrating knowledge of how to work with principals and other staff to create professional growth plans that address individual needs and promote professional excellence; demonstrating knowledge of various supervisory models (e.g., clinical, coaching) and techniques (e.g., conferencing, mentoring) and their use in improving teaching, learning, and school leadership and in empowering and motivating all staff; demonstrating knowledge of how to delegate tasks and responsibilities appropriately, develop the capacity for distributed leadership, and provide formal and informal opportunities to mentor emerging leaders and promote leadership and growth; analyzing issues related to access for all, similarities and differences, and fairness in human resource management; applying knowledge of how to promote the understanding of all staff members' backgrounds; demonstrating knowledge of policies, procedures, and contractual obligations related to human resource administration, including relevant state and federal laws and regulations (e.g., ADA, FMLA).

Competencies 07–08 make up about 50% of the test. They ask you to understand fiscal and operational management and their use in promoting achievement of the district's educational goals; understand state and federal laws, regulations, and judicial decisions affecting education and ethical guidelines and behavior expectations for superintendents.

• Competency 0007: Understand fiscal and operational management and their use in promoting achievement of the district's educational goals. Skills tested: applying knowledge of the role of the superintendent as a steward of public funds; how to plan, manage, and monitor fiscal resources effectively, equitably, and in accordance with state and federal laws; and how to allocate and efficiently utilize these resources in alignment with district goals; demonstrating knowledge of how to manage existing resources, engage in strategic long-term financial planning, and pursue new resources (e.g., grants, partnerships) to support district programs and improve student achievement; demonstrating knowledge of procedures for financial record keeping and reporting, including legal requirements, and for ensuring effective internal controls to safeguard district financial operations; demonstrating knowledge of public school financing, including related access issues, sources of funding, and restrictions on the use of funds; applying knowledge of procedures, practices, and state and federal legal requirements for ensuring the safe, efficient, and effective operation of district facilities and equipment; demonstrating knowledge of how to develop and implement plans and procedures for ensuring student and staff safety and building security; demonstrating knowledge of crisis planning and emergency management in schools and districts; applying knowledge of how to allocate and use school facility space effectively and efficiently to meet program needs and make school facilities available as a resource to families and the community.
• Competency 0008: Understand state and federal laws, regulations, and judicial decisions affecting education and ethical guidelines and behavior expectations for superintendents. Skills tested: applying knowledge of student, staff, and parent/guardian rights, protections, and responsibilities under state and federal laws (e.g., due process, confidentiality, free speech, sexual harassment); applying knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations relevant to school administration (e.g., mandatory reporting requirements, student supervision, liability, FERPA); applying knowledge of legal principles and practices for promoting fairness and access in public schools; applying knowledge of state and federal legal requirements for educating special populations of students (e.g., students with disabilities, English Language Learners, homeless, gifted); demonstrating knowledge of personal and professional ethics, including principles and guidelines for acting fairly, ethically, and with integrity; demonstrating knowledge of acting with responsiveness in interactions, decision making, and practice; demonstrating knowledge of expected superintendent behaviors (e.g., ensuring accountability for the success of every student; modeling principles of self-awareness, reflective practice, transparency, and ethical behavior; a healthy work-life balance; maintaining visibility; safeguarding the values of democracy, access for all, strengths and differences; considering the potential moral and legal consequences of decision making).