AEPA Principal Exam

The Principal test is one of three Administrator tests administered in Arizona. It measures the knowledge and skills required to function effectively in a leadership role. The test content is drawn from five subareas based on AEPA learning objectives: Leadership of the Educational Organization (19% of the test); Social, Cultural, and Legal Context (19%); Effective Communication (19%); Management of the Educational Organization (24%); and Curriculum and Instruction (19%). Specific topics include development and promotion of the mission of the educational organization, maintaining an innovative climate, and promoting professional development. Social, cultural, and legal topics include compliance with Arizona and federal statutes and regulations, policy formation, and promoting equity. The test covers communication strategies for promoting teamwork and learning, in addition to knowledge of management (e.g., problem solving, human resources, and management of school services). The last subarea regards basics of curricula (e.g., implementation and evaluation) and methods and principles of student instruction and assessment.

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AEPA Principal Practice Questions

Principal

1. Which of the following is NOT considered an instructional operating cost?

A: building maintenance
B: teacher training programs
C: curriculum development
D: media services

2. What is the primary reason for the recent surge in community interest in schools?

A: Increase in the number of "stay at home" parents
B: Lack of government funding for education
C: Increase in the number of single-parent families
D: Concerns about the American education system

3. What is the defining characteristic of an integrated curriculum?

A: Students of varying academic levels are instructed together.
B: The associations between disparate subjects are made explicit.
C: Students from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds are combined.
D: The academic content presents information from a variety of cultural viewpoints.

4. Which of the following adjectives describes the best kind of punishment for students?

A: harsh
B: self-administered
C: cooperative
D: creative

5. Which of the following subjects does NOT need to be taught sequentially?

A: Language Arts
B: Algebra
C: American History
D: Economics

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Answer key

1. A. Instructional operating costs are those expenses that go directly to support teachers.
2. D. Principals can use these concerns to recruit valuable help for the school.
3. B. Principals should encourage teachers to integrate curricula as much as possible.
4. B. Students show the most progress when they self-regulate.
5. A. There is no systematic order for the teaching of language arts, so teachers can be given a little bit more flexibility with the curriculum.