Competency One Human Development 1. Mrs. Watson teaches secondary history. The students are reading about and studying the lives of world leaders of the past century. As part of the instructional unit, Mrs. Watson assigns the students to use encyclopedias and write a report about the leader of their choice. The students were allowed to use the on-line encyclopedia that is available in the school library. This assignment is weak and the students could use their time more effectively. What is the major concern about this assignment?
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Competency 005 Motivation 2. Fred is a middle school student at a new state of the art facility. He is friendly and well liked. In past school years Fred was popular but weak academically. Through teacher intervention he has become a better student. However, Fred is reluctant to attempt new assignments or tasks. Which of the following actions would be help Fred?
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Competency 002 Environment 3. Mrs. Mata teaches high school math and science. She is doing a self-study project that looks at factors that may affect learning. At the completion of the study, Mrs. Mata identified peer pressure as the major external factor that affects her students and their learning. Some of the peer pressure is positive and some of it is negative. Three of Mrs. Mata’s students skipped classes due to peer pressure influence. Which of the following techniques should Mrs. Mata teach so her students can successfully handle peer pressure? I. Find out what is really going on Ignore the consequences Make your own decision Tell your peers your decision II. Find out what is really going on Think about the consequences Make your own decision Tell others your decision III. Be curious about what is going on Think about the consequences Get help from a peer for making a decision Tell others your decision IV. Find out exactly what you are being pressured to do Think about the consequences Get peer input for making a decision Make the decision with peer influence.
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Competency 003 Human Diversity 4. Cultural bias in secondary instructional material can be subtle and easy to miss. With so many cultures represented in high school classes today, seemingly insignificant statements or omissions can be offensive and can sabotage student learning. Which of the following questions would best help secondary teachers select teaching materials? I. Does the text give proportionate coverage to different ethnic groups? II. Does the text present ethnic groups in a variety of roles and situations? III. Do the stories and historical incidents come from the point of view of the ethnic group concerned? IV. Do the materials use language that recognizes the dignity of the groups involved?
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Competency 004 Effective Instruction 5. Mr. Lynn teaches high school physics. He is working to improve academic achievement among all of his students. His strategy is to implement a highly organized approach based on students working in small groups. The student groups would include the following elements: face to face interaction, positive interdependence, individual accountability, and social skills. Which of the following strategies should Mr. Lynn use in order to improve academic achievement?
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Competency 006 Planning 6. Although Cristobal is in high school, he struggles to stay on task; doesn’t finish his work; has difficulty following directions; and lacks confidence in himself. Cristobal was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) while in elementary school by a medical specialist. Over the years his teachers have helped him by: providing more frequent and specific feedback; providing rewards for completed work; providing free choice activities; and directing Cristobal toward appropriate task behavior. Additional teacher interventions are needed now that Cristobal is in secondary school. Which of the following strategies should be incorporated into Cristobal’s class routines in order to help him and other ADHD students? I. Use visuals. Appeal to many senses. II. Shorten “wait time” between class changes in activities. III. Assign short, well-structured homework. IV. Heighten self –esteem by searching out student talent.
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Competency 004 Communication 7. Mr. Jennings teaches high school history. He is an average communicator and is working to develop much more effective communication techniques. Which of the following actions should Mr. Jennings use in order to become a successful communicator? I. Avoid using video or audio aids during lesson presentations so students will focus on Mr. Jennings. II. Prepare presentation notes but Mr. Jennings should avoid reading the entire time. III. Mr. Jennings should rehearse his presentation – especially when covering new material. IV. Mr. Jennings should anticipate possible presentation questions and prepare his answers.
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Competency 008 Strategies 8. Lucy struggles with higher-order thinking during her middle school math class. She has difficulty understanding abstract concepts. Which of the following interventions should Lucy’s math teacher use to address this concern?
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Competency 009 Materials and Resources 9. Dr. Samuels’ first period Advanced Placement Biology class has been studying local birds and their environment. The students have used a variety of instructional materials and resources to support individual and group learning. When the semester ends, this course also ends. Dr. Samuels has chosen a concluding activity to enhance all that was learned. Which of the following activities would he most likely choose?
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Competency 010 Assessment 10. Mr. North teaches high school government. He measures student progress on a regular basis and reports the results to parents each six weeks. Mr. North measures student progress with: work sheets, standardized tests, and chapter review questions. How could Mr. North change his assessment process to focus on evaluation of active learning?
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Competency 011 Management 11. Misunderstandings and conflicts occur from time to time at Nash High School. The teachers recognize that managing problems successfully leads to a classroom climate that promotes learning, cooperation, leadership, and respect. The teachers facilitate a variety of actions to maintain standards of behavior. This school year Nash High School is trying a program that uses a neutral student to help others solve a conflict. Which of the following programs is most likely being used?
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Competency 012 Professional Development 12. The teachers of Madison Middle School participated in a professional development program that focused on dealing with stress. They completed a checklist that showed that over 80% of the teachers need help in dealing with stress. Which of the following tips would most likely help these teachers? I. See problems for what they are and think about how to solve it. II. Learn to manage your time wisely. III. Prepare for stressful events to boost your confidence. IV. Be afraid to fail. This will motivate you to meet teaching challenges.
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Competency 013 School-Home Relationships 13. The Brownsville Independent School District supports strong school-home relationships. The district recognizes that quality education takes a team effort. Parents can make a positive difference in their child’s education. Which of the following parent actions is this district most likely to promote? I. Encourage parents to take part in one school activity. II. Encourage your child to do their learning at school rather than at home. III. Avoid too much praise as your child will become lazy when doing his/her school work. IV. Encourage parents not to bother the teachers with unnecessary questions.
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Competency 014 School-Community Relationships 14. Mark is a high school junior. His behavior has gradually become a concern to his teachers. They have observed the following: (a) rumors or reliable information that Mark has not been home for several nights; (b) newly acquired and unexplained “wealth” often showered on peers; (c) “hanging around” but being unable to discuss the problem; and (d) a dress code that applies to a few: i.e., wearing of a color, style or item of clothing, a particular hair style, and symbols of identification. What do these warning signs most likely indicate about Mark?
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Competency 015 Ethics-Teaching in TX 15. The principal of an average size Texas High School sends two of his teachers to a textbook hearing for math. New texts will be adopted soon and the teachers will be voting on which texts they feel will best meet the needs of the students. One textbook representative is particularly enthusiastic about his materials. He approaches these two teachers with gifts and indirectly asks for their vote. How should the teachers respond?
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Competency 001 Social, Emotional Domains 16. Claudia is a high school freshman. She gets upset and feels that her life isn’t easy or fair. Sometimes she feels angry, frustrated, sad, or embarrassed. Claudia’s teachers feel that there’s nothing wrong with having feelings like these. However, they observe that Claudia needs help in handling feelings in positive ways. The English teachers have taught all of the freshmen that no matter how upset they feel, they still have responsibilities. These teachers have assigned the freshmen to identify their responsibilities related to self-control and write an essay that explains their points. Which of the following responsibilities should Claudia and her peers identify for this assignment? I. Treat others well. It’s simple – there’s no excuse for harming someone on purpose. II. Obey the law when it suits you. III. Treat yourself well. Take care of your health and safety. IV. Respect people’s property. Don’t harm or destroy what isn’t yours.
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Competency 002 Self-Esteem 17. Angie is in middle school. She does not think very highly of herself. She says that she is ugly, boring, and can’t do anything right. Mrs. Grant is Angie’s physical education teacher. She is working with the school counselor to help boost Angie’s self-esteem. Which of the following actions are Mrs. Grant and the counselor most likely to recommend for Angie? I. Identify your strengths; work on your weaknesses. II. Set realistic goals; give yourself credit. III. Increase stress, reduce regular exercise. IV. Get involved; share your feelings.
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Competency 014 Community 18. Edwin is a high school student. He is frustrated by classes which do not meet his interests or challenge his talents. He does not recognize his own special abilities. Edwin lives “just for today” and has not made plans to improve his future. He is impatient to get involved with the “real world” by getting a full-time job, and being on his own. Edwin’s teachers recognize that he is thinking about dropping out of school. Which of the following actions should Edwin’s teachers take to help him stay in school? I. Encourage Edwin to stay in school and plan for his future. II. Help Edwin see what programs are available in his school district. III. Help Edwin choose a program that works best for him. IV. Arrange for Edwin to work with the school counselor to fully understand his choices.
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Competency 008 Strategies 19. The math department of Jefferson Middle School has been discussing homework. Some of the parents have complained that math homework time is a struggle and the kids get stressed on a regular basis. The teachers do not expect the parents to “teach” the day’s lesson but they want parents to make sure that homework is done. Which of the following suggestions should the teachers provide the parents with in order to turn this into a positive situation? I. The student should describe the steps used so far – he or she may catch a mistake. The student should read the directions again. II. The student should work through sample problems. The student should remember how a similar problem was handled. III. The student should eliminate possibilities. The student should look for patterns. IV. The student should describe a story problem in his or her own words. The student should draw diagrams or move objects to “see” the problem.
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Competency 011 Leadership 20. The seniors of Mission High School are participating in a citizenship unit as part of their government/economics class. They are practicing a step by step process that promotes sound decision making. This process promotes leadership skills. Which of the following objectives would be appropriate for this unit? I. The student will be able to identify a problem or situation. II. The student will identify the possible actions that could be taken in terms of the problem or solution. III. The student will gather facts and information directly related to the situation. IV. The student will be able to consider the possible consequences of his/her actions.
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Competency 003 Diversity 21. Limited English Proficient (LEP) students can make a vital addition to the secondary class. Teachers who view LEP students and their families as rich sources of first hand information about life in other countries and cultures are often most successful in helping those students become productive, contributing members of the school and community. Which of the following activities will recognize and celebrate the cultural diversity in a class?
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Competency 005 Motivation 22. Mrs. Garcia is a single parent. Her son, Joel, attends a Valley Middle School. She is concerned about Joel because he is often tired, listless, apathetic, unmotivated, and not interested in school. Mrs. Garcia goes to school and asks for help. Which of the following interventions would be most appropriate in this situation?
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Competency 013 School-Home Relationships 23. Drug abuse is a common problem in secondary schools. Teachers need to be aware of the special needs of the student who is recovering from a chemical dependency. Teachers foster strong school-home relationships that support the parents and the student. These students need new activities and friends to replace those associated with their use of drugs or alcohol. Which of the following are ways teachers can help? I. Avoid confronting students about old behaviors if they recur. II. Discourage participation in school-sponsored activities. III. Constantly bring up the past. IV. Respect confidential information. V. Be understanding about missed assignments and classes.
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Competency 008 Strategies 24. Secondary schools have many gifted students. Sometimes these students are enrolled in regular education classes and sometimes they take special courses for the gifted. Which of the following are common myths about teaching strategies to use with the gifted?
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Competency 008 Strategies 25. The teen years are a time of great change. During these years, secondary students experience physical growth, mental development, and emotional changes. Teens change from children into adults, all in a few years. A teen’s ability to reason is also growing. During this period in life, young people build the thinking skills they need to meet adult responsibilities. Teachers will observe great changes in the way their students feel about themselves and others. Which of the following is a major goal for teachers during the teen years?
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Competency 010 Assessment 26. The secondary teachers of an East Texas School District have a traditional testing program and a performance assessment program. These teachers are interested in measuring secondary students’ abilities to learn. They also want to help determine what a student may be good at during the future. Which of the following types of tests will best help these teachers reach their assessment goal?
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Competency 010 Assessment 27. An I.Q. test is most likely the most familiar example of a norm referenced test. The norm of I.Q. tests is 100 – half of the secondary students score above 100 and half of the secondary students score below 100. If a secondary student scores around 100, he/she has an average I.Q. There are no set boundaries when “above average” becomes genius or “below average” becomes retarded. However, as scores get further away from the norm, more special attention is called for I.Q. tests do not truly measure intelligence. At best, they measure the secondary student’s ability to do school work. I.Q. scores can change from school year to school year. For this reason, teachers should not conclude that a student’s score is permanent. If Steve is a high school student and his I.Q. score is 104, what does this mean about Steve’s ability to do school tasks?
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Competency 009 Technology 28. Mrs. Moore teaches secondary French. She is enhancing student learning by using a variety of instructional resources including technology. The students have been instructed to complete the following ten tasks: (1) research using technology; (2) take notes; (3) identify your main points; (4) make an outline; (5) arrange your notes; (6) write a first draft; (7) include footnotes; (8) review and revise the first draft; (9) check your final draft; and (10) complete the finished product. Which of the following tasks have these secondary students completed?
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Competency 004 How Learning Occurs 29. Mrs. Burke teaches secondary reading. Her students have been displaying signs of stress whenever a test is administered. She feels that more learning actually occurs than the students show when testing. To promote better test taking, Mrs. Burke decides to choose several strategies to help her students. Which of the following test taking strategies should Mrs. Burke teach? I. Relax and forget about other students. II. Read the directions carefully. III. Look over the beginning and end of the test to budget your time. IV. Read each question four times before answering. V. Cover all points asked for – NOT points not asked for. VI. Think before you write. VII. Check your test before you turn it in.
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Competency 002 Factors That Affect Learning-Aggressiveness 30. “No one is going to walk all over me!” shouted senior Tom Radder as he stormed out of science class. Tom was angry about a low lab grade. He stomped down the hall and slammed a freshman into a locker. Tom has shown aggression throughout his high school years. Which of the following most likely causes Tom’s aggressive behavior?
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Competency 002 Stress 31. All secondary students feel stress now and then. Teachers have observed the following signs when students are stressed: tense muscles, upset stomachs, sweaty hands, fast heartbeats, and headaches. Stress happens when students face a challenge or change. Common stressors are: tests, new jobs, trouble at home, breaking up with someone, and pressure to take drugs or have sex. Stress can make students feel: tired, nervous, angry, or sad. It can also lead to eating or sleeping more or less than normal. Teachers recognize that students who are under a lot of stress are at higher risk for alcohol/drug use, heart problems, stomach problems, and other illnesses. Teachers cannot stop stress but they can teach students to manage it. Which of the objectives should teachers include when teaching stress management? I. Students identify what makes them feel stress and avoid these things when possible. II. Students should make many big changes in their lives all at once. III. Fight out a problem to solve it quickly. IV. Make up your own mind. Don’t let others push you into doing something that is not right for you. V. Set goals. Learn to plan your time. VI. Do something you enjoy. Be a positive thinker.
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Competency 004 How Learning Occurs 32. Mr. Frank teaches seventh grade math. He works with about 150 students in total. Most of his students are average or better in terms of computation and comprehension. However, a few students in Mr. Frank’s classes are failing to correctly solve math problems involving fractions or decimals. Which of the following interventions should Mr. Frank implement in order to facilitate learning for these students? I. Have the students solve math problems involving fractions and decimals by using tangible objects (e.g., pennies which are one-tenth of a dime, inch cubes which are one-twelfth of a foot, etc.). II. Develop a reference sheet of fractions and decimals for the student to keep at his/her desk. III. Provide practice in fractions and decimals by using a computer software program that gives the student immediate feedback. IV. Identify a peer to work with each student on problems involving fractions or decimals.
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33. Janice is a sixth grade student at Garza Middle School in Houston. She is well behaved and her teachers enjoy having her in class. Janice is an above average student because she works very hard. Her area of greatest concern is spelling. She spells words correctly in one context but not in another. Which of the following interventions should Janice’s teachers use to help her with this spelling problem? I. Require Janice to learn many extra spelling words so she will have more to draw from for assignments. II. Require Janice to proofread all written work for spelling errors. Reinforce her for correcting each spelling error. III. Make certain that Janice has adequate practice in writing the spelling words (e.g., drill activities, sentence activities, etc.). IV. Have Janice maintain a folder of all spelling words. Require her to refer to the list when she is engaged in writing activities in order to check spelling.
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Competency 009 Use of Human Resources to Support Individual Learning 34. Tomas and Jack are best friends. They are both in the 8th grade and are in several classes together including English. Tomas struggles with written expression because he fails to correctly organize his writing activities. Jack, on the other hand, is very successful with written expression tasks. Both boys study together and tutor each other when needed. Which of the following tips could Jack share with Tomas to help him with the next writing assignment?
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Competency 012 Teacher as a Mentor to Another Teacher 35. Yolanda Ybarra is a lead teacher at a new Texas high school. This school year she will be mentoring Luis Zamora who is a first year teacher. Both teachers get along well and have established effective communication. One day, Luis seeks help from Yolanda concerning a new student that is unable to copy letters, words, sentences, and numbers from a model at a distance. Mr. Zamora is concerned and wishes to help this student. What will Mrs. Ybarra most likely advise him to do first?
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Competency 013 School-Home Relationships 36. John Price teaches secondary school vocational classes. Victor Rada is in Mr. Price’s third period class. Victor enjoys the vocational program and his parents are thrilled that he has a strong interest in it. Despite Victor’s motivated attitude, he sometimes performs assignments so carelessly that the work is illegible. Mr. and Mrs. Rada meet with Mr. Price to seek help for correcting this problem. Which of the following actions should Mr. Price recommend for Victor?
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Competency 012 Special Needs Personnel 37. Mrs. Ivey teaches freshman health. This semester Libby Jordan is in her class. Libby is Learning Disabled and has a current individual education plan in place. Mrs. Ivey often reads high interest health current events and articles to her classes for discussion and motivation purposes. Libby understands what is read to her but does not understand what she reads silently. Mrs. Ivey reviews the IEP for help and locates general modifications to try. She also seeks out Mrs. Lerma who is Libby’s special education resource room teacher. Which of the following suggestions is Mrs. Lerma most likely to provide Mrs. Ivey with?
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Competency 011 Management 38. Mr. Rio teaches high school algebra. He is a very organized teacher and runs a structured program. His students are generally well-behaved and motivated to learn. However, some of his students demonstrate inappropriate behavior in the presence of a substitute teacher. Mr. Rio is rarely absent but he does miss once in a while to attend professional development trainings. Knowing this student behavior occurs, which of the following actions would you expect Mr. Rio to take when he next needs a substitute teacher?
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Competency 011 Management 39. The assistant principals at Woods High School have school ground duty before and after school each day. Most student interaction is routine at these times. Once in a while one or more students demonstrate inappropriate behavior before and/or after school. The assistant principals meet with the faculty to discuss the inappropriate behavior. Which of the following actions would be least effective in addressing this situation?
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Competency 005 Motivation 40. Valente is a junior high student in Beaumont, Texas. He does not like to go to school and is not motivated by rewards at school. His teachers are meeting to discuss a possible plan of action to increase Valente’s motivation. Which of the following actions would be least likely to help Valente?
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Competency 011 Management 41. Cesario is in high school. He is an average student and is well liked by his peers and teachers. Cesario works at HEB in the evenings to help with his family’s expenses. Once in a while he works late and is tardy the next day at school. He is also tardy on days that he doesn’t work late. His homeroom teacher, Mr. Bueno, is concerned about Cesario’s unexcused tardies. Which of the following actions would be least effective in helping Cesario with his tardy problem?
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Competency 012 Work Cooperatively With Other Professionals 42. Mrs. Guice has been assigned to mentor a new teacher, Ms. Green for the first semester. Both teachers are in the History Department and work with high school students. Ms. Green has not been successful when working cooperatively with other professionals in the system. Mrs. Guice realizes that this concern is minor at this time and she is planning appropriate action to eliminate the problem. Which of the following actions would Mrs. Guice find to be least helpful?
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Competency 015 Law and Ethics 43. Mr. Fernandez teaches high school special education. He is responsible for thirty-nine students in the academic inclusion setting. The high school students are learning disabled and mostly, are successful, due to the inclusion program. Sometimes the classroom teachers ask Mr. Fernandez confidential information about one or more of his students. How should he handle this situation?
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Competency 015 Child Abuse 44. Mr. Vela teaches secondary science courses. Although he is a first year teacher, he is very alert to the needs of his students. One student has shown common indicators of sexual abuse. Mr. Vela knows that abused teens need help. He also recognizes that the adults who are abusers need help. What is the first step Mr. Vela should take in order to break the cycle of abuse?
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Competency 002 Environmental Factors 45. Ryan is a high school student in a large Texas city. He has AIDS which is acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This is a serious illness that harms the body’s ability to fight infection. The students in Ryan’s classes are aware of his illness and somewhat nervous about being in class with him. The teachers are planning a discussion to address the concerns. They will teach that HIV does not spread easily. Which of the following examples would be most helpful to include in the discussion? I. You will not catch AIDS by sitting next to someone at school, on the bus, ball game or anywhere. II. You will not catch AIDS by touching or shaking hands. III. You will not catch AIDS by using restrooms, water fountains, or telephones. IV. You will not catch AIDS by eating with someone who has AIDS in the school cafeteria.
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Competency 011 Standards of Behavior 46. Mr. Dante teaches high school physical education and health. He also coaches the varsity tennis team. He is around many students and observes daily behavior. Mr. Dante observed a high school boy standing too close to one of the girls. This boy bumped into her on purpose and touched her inappropriately. Immediately, Mr. Dante pulled the boy aside to talk to him. Which of the following problems is Mr. Dante addressing?
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Competency 014 Gangs 47. The high school students of Dallas Westside High are discussing gangs with their teachers. Gangs in the area are committing crimes. Some of these crimes include: selling drugs, assault, drive-by shootings, stealing, rape, murder, and destroying property. Some of Westside’s gang members were arrested and put in jail. The teachers are addressing the gang problem by first having the students identify why some young people join gangs. Which of the following reasons are the students least likely to identify as a reason why teens join gangs? I. Teens join to get money or goods. II. Teens join because they want to get cool gang clothes. III. Teens join to get a sense of belonging and purpose. IV. Teens join to get power. V. Teens join because they want to become criminals. VI. Teens join to get relief from an unhappy home life.
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Competency 012 Professional Development 48. Mr. Wilson teaches high school medical microbiology. Like all teachers on his campus, he is evaluated with the Texas Professional Development and Appraisal System. Domain VI is the Professional Development Section. Which of the following Professional Development topics would Mr. Wilson most likely participate in because he is a Texas teacher? I. Administrative Roles and Responsibilities II. District Goals III. Campus Goals IV. Student Needs
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Competency 015 Requirements and Expectations Associated With Teaching in Texas 49. Mrs. Mary McCartly is the principal of an East Texas High School. Today she is visiting Mrs. Cummins’ English class in order to complete a formal observation using the Texas Professional Development and Appraisal System. As Mrs. McCartly observes the class, she sees that students are engaged in learning; successful in learning, and self-directed. Which of the following teaching skills has Mrs. Cummins demonstrated?
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Competency 010 Assessment 50. Secondary teachers are responsible for evaluation and feedback on student progress. Many of these teachers use technology to assist them with the record keeping of grades. There is much more to evaluation and feedback than grading. Which of the following are also Texas teacher responsibilities related to measurement? I. Constructive feedback. II. Appropriate assessment. III. Assessment and instruction are aligned. IV. Relearning and re-evaluation.
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