Professional Education Test

Test Format and Sample Questions

The Professional Education Test consists of approximately 80 multiple-choice questions. You will have two and one-half hours to complete the test.

Each of the questions will contain four response options. You will choose the best response out of the available options, and indicate A, B, C, or D.

The table below presents types of questions on the exam and directs you to examples of these formats among the sample items that follow.

Table of Question Formats

Type of Question	Sample Question
Direct Question Choose the response option that best answers the question.	Question 1
Sentence Completion Select the response option that best completes the sentence.	Question 2
Scenario Examine a situation, problem, or case study. Then answer a question, make a diagnosis, or recommend a course of action by selecting the best response option.	Question 3

Sample Questions

The following questions represent both the form and content of questions on the examination. These questions will acquaint you with the general format of the examination; however, these sample questions do not cover all of the competencies and skills that are tested and will only approximate the degree of examination difficulty.

Question 1

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

What type of curriculum is a teacher using when students are confronted with a scenario and asked to generate hypotheses and solutions?

Choose an answer

program-based
concept-based
computer-based
problem-based

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 2

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An instructional strategy in which students work in small, peer-assisted groups is

Choose an answer

intentional teaching.
project teaching.
experimental learning.
cooperative learning.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 3

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

When a teacher reads aloud to students, which of the following strategies is the teacher using?

Choose an answer

modeled reading
shared reading
interactive reading
guided reading

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 4

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An elementary mathematics teacher uses the phrase “My dear Aunt Sally” to teach the order of operations. This phrase is an example of a

Choose an answer

mnemonic device.
review device.
clarifying tip.
summarizing tip.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 5

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

According to Bloom's taxonomy, what is the lowest level of question in the cognitive domain that the teacher could use?

Choose an answer

comprehension
knowledge
application
analysis

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 6

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The most effective method for enhancing a student's ability to write a paper is to

Choose an answer

evaluate the student's final draft using a rubric.
establish required criteria and use formative assessments.
evaluate the student's progress using intermittent assessment.
establish required criteria and provide corrective feedback on the final draft.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 7

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

When designing a lesson, a teacher should include the students' interests, as it allows students to

Choose an answer

achieve a passing score on class and homework assignments.
use ideas familiar to them as a means of connecting unfamiliar ideas.
understand which sections of the lesson they have already mastered.
focus only on information that they consider important to the lesson.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 8

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A science teacher is concerned about students' abilities to read the state-adopted textbook. The teacher employs a technique that uses a passage from the book but systematically eliminates every sixth or seventh word in the passage Which of the following techniques is the teacher using?

Choose an answer

oral reading
sight reading
cloze reading
strategic reading

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 9

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A fifth grade student has difficulty with reading. Which of the following is the most appropriate assessment to diagnose the needs of this student?

Choose an answer

norm-referenced reading assessment
student reading interest inventory
point-in-time reading assessment
criterion-referenced reading assessment

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 10

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A high school social studies teacher is asked to choose between two different American history textbooks. When deciding which textbook to use for classroom instruction, the teacher should

Choose an answer

examine the textbooks to see which offers the most challenging review questions.
identify the book that most closely matches the curriculum materials the teacher has used in the past.
compare each book to the established district and state curriculum standards for the course.
determine which book has the most interesting text and pictures.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 11

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following assessment strategies involves the systematic collection of students' work?

Choose an answer

portfolio
presentation
standardized test
journal entry

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 12

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A student has recently begun to struggle with staying focused on class material and frequently forgets to turn in completed assignments. The student's grades are below ability level. Which of the following interventions would be most appropriate?

Choose an answer

remediation and retention
parent contact and consequences
verbal encouragement and visual cues
enrichment and demonstration

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 13

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

K W L charts, Venn diagrams, thematic webs, concept maps, cause and effect charts, timelines, and T-charts are all examples of

Choose an answer

formal assessments.
group activities.
graphic organizers.
lesson plans.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 14

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

What initial action should a teacher take prior to requesting that a student be evaluated for special education services?

Choose an answer

conferring with the principal concerning the suspected reasons for the student's low performance
informing the special education teachers that another student will be placed with them
meeting with the parents to discuss alternatives for meeting the student's needs
scheduling a meeting with the school guidance counselor and the parents to design a plan of action

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 15

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

During an instructional unit focusing on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, students ask several questions that the teacher is uncomfortable answering. Which of the following is the most appropriate way to handle the student inquiries?

Choose an answer

asking the principal or assistant principal to speak to the class about drugs and alcohol and respond to student questions
providing Internet access for students to research their questions about drugs and alcohol on their own or with a classmate
inviting a presenter from the local drug and alcohol outreach program to speak and respond to student questions
explaining to the students that the questions about drugs and alcohol are not appropriate for school

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 16

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A student has excessive absences from school, and the teacher is concerned about how the absences are affecting the student's academic progress. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the teacher to take first?

Choose an answer

holding a student-teacher conference
requesting a child study team meeting
requesting a placement services meeting
holding a parent-teacher conference

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 17

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Portfolio assessment is an effective way to evaluate the writing products of English language learners because it

Choose an answer

allows the teacher to evaluate student growth over time.
compares student work to others at the same level.
helps students keep their writing organized.
enables communication between teacher and student.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 18

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following examples expresses how a cognitive theorist views learning?

Choose an answer

Learning involves the reinforcement history of the student.
Learning involves the developmental status of the student.
Learning involves the formation of mental structures through information processing and the associations between stimuli and responses.
Learning involves the acquisition of knowledge and skills, the formation of mental structures, and the processing of information and beliefs.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 19

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A first grade teacher uses a transparency to show students the procedure for putting a heading on a paper. This is an example of which of the following techniques?

Choose an answer

didactic instruction
cognitive modeling
attribution theory
cooperative learning

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 20

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Cognitive development depends on biological maturation, experience with the physical environment, experience with the social environment, and equilibration. This theory was first introduced by which of the following theorists?

Choose an answer

Abraham Maslow
Jean Piaget
B.F. Skinner
Erik Erickson

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 21

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In planning for a unit of instruction, a teacher has determined the needs, interests, and abilities of the students. In identifying the objectives for the unit, what criterion should be applied next?

Choose an answer

The objectives should be slightly above the students' ability level.
The objectives should be covered in state-adopted text books.
The objectives should conform to state standards.
The objectives should be measured by the standardized test used in the district.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 22

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

What is the most important consideration in constructing objectives for a unit of instruction?

Choose an answer

appropriateness for meeting student needs and state standards
correspondence to the content of state-adopted text books
ease of assessment for grading purposes
availability of suitable materials

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 23

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

To ensure that ALL students are aware of the assignments required for a semester-long chemistry class, the teacher should

Choose an answer

create a course outline and distribute a hard copy to each student.
mail a letter to each parent, outlining the assignments and when they are due.
post the assignments on the school Web site so each student can access the information.
write the assignments on the board and ask students to copy them on their paper.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 24

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A student is capable of completing assignments but often lacks the motivation to do so. Which strategy would address the problem directly?

Choose an answer

creating an academic contract between the student and teacher
giving additional credit for class participation and attendance
monitoring the student closely during class
sending weekly progress reports to parents

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 25

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is an example of a teacher employing a nonverbal communication strategy?

Choose an answer

granting a student a special trip to the media center for good work
having one student explain a mathematics problem to another
using a calm voice with two students involved in a heated argument
using enthusiastic hand and eye gestures to introduce a unit on Florida history

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 26

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

To ensure that a new student feels welcome, the teacher should

Choose an answer

ask the new student to introduce himself and tell about himself.
assign a responsible peer buddy to assist the new student.
introduce the new student to the class briefly and move on.
send home a class newsletter announcing the new student.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 27

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following situations is the best example of a teacher promoting a climate of openness, respect, and inquiry in the classroom?

Choose an answer

creating interest centers and interest groups in the classroom
establishing a variety of levels of instruction in the learning environment
developing curriculum that is consistent with students’ interests
promoting student cultures that are studied, shared, and celebrated

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 28

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An at-risk student is starting to show a decline in achievement within the last month. Which of the following would be the most appropriate way to assist this student?

Choose an answer

asking the student to describe the reasons for the drop in performance
asking another student to talk to the at-risk student about the problem
providing activities that will motivate the student through success
providing highly difficult activities to encourage the student to work hard

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 29

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher has noted there are several students who are performing below grade level in their reading comprehension, in addition to a student with a hearing impairment. Which of the following would be an appropriate practice to introduce in the classroom?

Choose an answer

teaching the class sign language
having students read out loud
speaking loudly at a normal pace
using closed-caption videos

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 30

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A statement conveying a student's present academic and functional level should be placed with the student's technological needs in a or an

Choose an answer

weekly report to the parent.
quarterly report home.
individual educational plan.
permanent file folder.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 31

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A visually impaired student is unable to read printed material of any size. The teacher has asked the class to write a one-paragraph summary of their last social studies chapter. Which piece of equipment should this student use to write the paragraph?

Choose an answer

braille typewriter
sensor technologies
screen reader
computer screen magnification

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 32

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A beginning teacher notices that students are having difficulty mastering the properties of light on a science test. The best next step for the teacher to take would be

Choose an answer

readministering the same test.
seeking input from a peer teacher.
grading the test on a higher curve.
continuing to the next topic.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 33

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In a community-centered approach to teaching, a teacher plans classroom activities that require students to

Choose an answer

work independent of one another.
determine individual learning goals.
assist others in solving problems.
post their progress publicly.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 34

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher has students use their background information to make predictions about a story. This lesson would most likely be representative of a(an)

Choose an answer

knowledge-centered environment.
learner-centered environment.
assessment-centered environment.
teacher-centered environment.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 35

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

During the introduction of a new mathematics lesson, several students appear uninterested in the lesson. To determine if the behavior is content related, the teacher should

Choose an answer

send the students to the office.
redirect student behavior.
ask students concept questions.
give students a written quiz.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 36

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A math teacher is in the initial stages of planning a unit. The teacher realizes homework will play an important role in student success. The teacher examines the following research table that displays the effectiveness of various approaches to assessing homework assignments. What approach to assigning homework will have the greatest positive impact on student performance?

Research Results for Graded Homework

Use of Homework Average Effect Size Percentile Gain

Graded with Feedback .85 30

Graded .75 27

Reviewed in Class .27 12

Checked for Completion .23 10

Use of Homework	Average Effect Size	Percentile Gain
Graded with Feedback	.85	30
Graded	.75	27
Reviewed in Class	.27	12
Checked for Completion	.23	10

Choose an answer

assigning homework daily and reviewing the problems on the board
assigning select problems and grading them with specific feedback
assigning the odd number problems and grading them every night
assigning homework daily and monitoring the class for completion

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 37

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A first grade student needs encouragement and a reward system for completing assignments. Which of the following would be the most appropriate action?

Choose an answer

intrinsic motivation
positive reinforcement
modeled behavior
successive approximations

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 38

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Following instruction by a teacher, a student continues having difficulty learning the material. What strategy should the teacher use?

Choose an answer

arranging a conference with the parents and the student
assigning additional work covering the material
assessing the student with a teacher-made test
assigning a peer tutor to work with the student

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 39

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

At the beginning of a unit, a teacher gives a vocabulary quiz on major terms and concepts of the new unit. Such a formative assessment can identify students who

Choose an answer

have prior knowledge of the subject matter.
should receive high scores.
are not interested in the topic.
have the ability to learn the subject matter.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 40

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

One of the advantages of posting a class agenda in a classroom each day is that it

Choose an answer

gives a preview of the class to the students.
provides testable content for students.
enhances the reading skills of all students.
tells students when they can pack up and leave.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 41

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

When introducing a new topic, a teacher asks all students to list what they know about the topic. The teacher then asks the students to mark their lists by indicating which ones are fact, fiction, or opinion. Such an activity would allow the

Choose an answer

teacher to note preconceptions and misconceptions.
students to tutor one another about testable material.
teacher to assign grades early in the unit.
students to create extensive vocabulary lists.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 42

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is the best indicator that a teacher has effectively facilitated a student inquiry activity?

Choose an answer

The students take lecture notes.
The students memorize required facts.
The students reflect on their findings.
The students repeat rules for research studies.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 43

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

When a teacher asks students to make judgments based on certain criteria, the teacher is developing

Choose an answer

inquiry-based learning skills.
conflict resolution skills.
expository writing skills.
higher order thinking skills.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 44

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A learning log allows students to

Choose an answer

process information in an organized, efficient way.
make connections between prior knowledge and new knowledge.
change their misconceptions about the ideas being presented.
identify important concepts in the material being studied.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 45

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Asynchronous communication through e-mail or online discussion groups would be most useful for students doing projects that require

Choose an answer

direct interaction.
silent, independent reading.
collaborative writing.
extensive research.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 46

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An effective strategy to integrate technology into a special education classroom for students with mild to severe intellectual disabilities would be to use

Choose an answer

text-to-speech products.
built-in screen magnification.
text-to-braille converters.
electronic quizzes.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 47

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Creating a digital portfolio allows for

Choose an answer

all multiple intelligences to be met.
organization of the unit materials.
ongoing displays of student growth.
communication among stakeholders.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 48

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher is preparing a lesson for a small group of students with disabilities and is concerned about how to present the content of the lesson. Which of the following instructional activities would be most appropriate for this group of students?

Choose an answer

structured demonstration and guided practice activities
unstructured discovery activities
perceptual motor activities
teacher's presentation and discussion activities

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 49

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following types of questions requires a recall of previously learned knowledge?

Choose an answer

convergent questions
judgment-evaluative questions
divergent questions
cognitive memory questions

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 50

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Feedback normally comes in either of two forms,

Choose an answer

articulate or graphic.
oral or written.
systemized or unprecedented.
convergent or divergent.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 51

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher has developed a reading lesson where students are placed in groups. The students discuss information in their group and then are rearranged to share their learning in the new group. Which of the following activities is being displayed in this lesson?

Choose an answer

role-playing
think-pair-share
cooperative learning
blended presentation

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 52

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following instructional strategies is used during indirect instruction?

Choose an answer

use of student ideas
daily review and checking
feedback and correctives
guided student practice

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 53

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following objectives most appropriately explains direct instruction?

Choose an answer

Teach concepts, patterns, and abstractions.
Teach facts, rules, and action sequence.
Teach and listen with an open mind.
Teach and assess appropriately.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 54

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Students are given a demanding task and then asked to respond to that task orally, in writing, or by constructing a product. This type of evaluation is a(an)

Choose an answer

portfolio assessment.
performance assessment.
formative assessment.
open-ended assessment.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 55

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following assessments would be best for comparing a student's knowledge with that of other students in the same grade level?

Choose an answer

teacher-made
norm-referenced
performance-based
content-referenced

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 56

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A fourth grade team analyzes student test scores from the beginning and the end of the school year to determine whether to continue using the current core reading curriculum. Which of the following is the best type of assessment to use for this purpose?

Choose an answer

cognitive
qualitative
summative
formative

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 57

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A student appears to be struggling with a reading subskill after initial instruction. The teacher wants to find out what component of reading is hindering comprehension. Which of the following assessments would best aid the teacher?

Choose an answer

screening
diagnostic
progress monitoring
outcome measure

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 58

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Before beginning a new instructional unit, a teacher administers a pretest and finds that half of the students do not have the necessary prerequisite skills for the new unit. How should the teacher proceed?

Choose an answer

Teach the new unit anyway because all students will have to take a test on the material in 2 weeks.
Divide the class into two groups and provide remedial activities for those who did not pass the pretest.
Give the students who failed the pretest extra written homework on the skills for the next 2 weeks.
Show all the students a video covering the skills and proceed with teaching the entire class.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 59

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The primary function of a summative assessment is to:

Choose an answer

check prior knowledge.
determine mastery of content.
guide ongoing instruction.
measure acquisition of content.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 60

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

At the beginning of the year, a teacher wants to use statewide assessment data to determine specific academic strengths and weaknesses of incoming students. Which of the following types of data would be most helpful in making these determinations?

Choose an answer

raw scores
percentile ranks
scaled scores
stanine

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 61

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which accommodation for taking a multiple-choice test would best serve a mid-level E L L student?

Choose an answer

giving the student a translation of the test
allowing the student extra time to complete the test
permitting the student to work with another student
having the student answer the test questions orally

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 62

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

To assess a student's reading comprehension of a passage, an alternative to a multiple-choice test would be having the student

Choose an answer

read the passage aloud.
do a jigsaw activity.
do a cloze activity on the passage.
do a brief freewriting assignment.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 63

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher wants to determine student knowledge at the beginning of a lesson. Which type of assessment is most appropriate?

Choose an answer

formative
summative
pretest
performance

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 64

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

teacher is computing grades for language arts progress reports. A fourth grade teacher is computing grades for language arts progress reports. For this grading period there are ten assignments: two vocabulary tests, two book reports, four homework assignments, and two in-class writing assessments. The scores on each have been translated into percentages prior to computing the final grade.

The teacher is using a grading method known as

Choose an answer

performance-based.
criterion-referenced.
norm-referenced.
standards-based.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 65

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following types of assessment results are most sensitive to small changes in student performance over time?

Choose an answer

standard scores
percentile ranks
percentages
scaled scores

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 66

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A fourth grade student receives a grade equivalent score of 6.2 in Reading on a state standardized achievement test. This means that the student performed

Choose an answer

above average for a sixth grader.
about average for a sixth grade student.
about average for a fourth grade student.
above average for a fourth grader.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 67

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following question formats would be most appropriate for assessing 4th-grade student mastery of the following objective:

Students will correctly identify the capitals of all the U.S. states.

Choose an answer

true or false
matching section
short-answer
interpretive exercise

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 68

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The primary purpose of a formative assessment is to

Choose an answer

establish the grading criteria for the class.
guide the pace of future course instruction.
determine student mastery of standards.
identify individual strengths and weaknesses.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 69

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which assessment format is likely to create the fewest issues for a student with language difficulties?

Choose an answer

essay
multiple-choice
performance
portfolio

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 70

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher notices that a student who consistently performs poorly on paper-and-pencil assessments actively participates and provides accurate information during class discussions. The teacher suspects that the student's knowledge is not being reflected by the results of the paper-and-pencil tests.

Which of the following assessment formats would most likely give the teacher an accurate indication of the student's knowledge?

Choose an answer

journaling
oral presentation
oral questioning
research paper

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 71

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following assessments is most appropriate for a small group of students who are performing below expectation in the area of oral reading fluency?

Choose an answer

observational checklist
anecdotal record
progress monitoring
benchmark testing

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 72

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which is the best procedure for providing feedback after a classroom test?

Choose an answer

Return test papers to students and tell them to look up the answer to each question.
Provide page references and instruct students to look up missed items.
Return test papers to students and go over each question.
Provide each student with a written statement such as "Good Work" or "Try harder next time."

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 73

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following gives parents the right to access their children's grades and standardized test scores?

Choose an answer

Code of Federal Regulations
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Family Educational Rights Privacy Act of 1974
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 74

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following would be the most helpful to a teacher evaluating a high school class's current knowledge in reading and mathematics?

Choose an answer

statewide achievement test data
students' permanent records
informal teacher assessment
aptitude test scores

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 75

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is the most effective way to communicate students' academic progress to parents?

Choose an answer

online grade book
class Wiki
teacher blog
text message

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 76

Competency 5—Knowledge of relevant continuous professional improvement

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following would help a teacher identify reasons why a student is misbehaving in class?

Choose an answer

anecdotal records
attendance summaries
discipline referrals
student grades

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 77

Competency 5—Knowledge of relevant continuous professional improvement

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

After attending a reading workshop, a teacher realizes that the current reading strategies are not improving student academic achievement. The most appropriate next step is to

Choose an answer

align classroom activities with the school improvement plan.
ask a grade-level team member for help.
correlate reading strategies with the district curriculum checklist.
request assistance from a reading coach.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 78

Competency 5—Knowledge of relevant continuous professional improvement

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher wants to analyze areas of need in the curriculum. Which of the following would reflect the necessary data?

Choose an answer

anecdotal records
student test records
a teacher-made test
a teacher's grade book

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 79

Competency 5—Knowledge of relevant continuous professional improvement

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher would like to encourage parents and guardians to be involved in their students' education. Which of the following strategies is the best way for the teacher to encourage diverse parents and guardians to come to the classroom for a cultural activity?

Choose an answer

Writing an article for the school newsletter asking parents and guardians to drop in at their convenience to discuss ideas on a cultural activity.
Displaying posters inviting parents and guardians to meet with the teacher after school to plan a cultural activity for the class.
Having students write a personal invitation inviting parents and guardians to attend a cultural activity during school.
Asking the principal to develop a schoolwide cultural activity to be held in the evening for students and their parents and guardians.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 80

Competency 5—Knowledge of relevant continuous professional improvement

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher was directed to use the results of student exams to determine individual professional development goals for the next school year. Using the school's data-monitoring system, the following report was generated for the teacher.

this cell intentionally left blank. first quartile second quartile third quartile fourth quartile

Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring

% of questions correct on exams 34 percent 55 percent 48 percent 65 percent 60 percent 82 percent 84 percent 83 percent

this cell intentionally left blank.	first quartile	second quartile	third quartile	fourth quartile
% of questions correct on exams	34 percent	55 percent	48 percent	65 percent	60 percent	82 percent	84 percent	83 percent

Based upon the data in the given report, which of the following professional development activities would be most applicable?

Choose an answer

curriculum pacing
collaborative groups
content development
enrichment strategies

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 81

Competency 5—Knowledge of relevant continuous professional improvement

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

When determining an appropriate professional development plan, teachers should use goals that are

Choose an answer

measurable and relevant to teacher and student needs.
measurable and associated with the teacher's certification area.
plausible and associated with raising student achievement.
plausible and relevant to student interest in the content area.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 82

Competency 5—Knowledge of relevant continuous professional improvement

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher creates a classroom environment survey to give to students as a component of their professional development plan. This survey is likely to be

Choose an answer

invalid because the teacher created it.
irrelevant because it focuses on the classroom.
valid because students completed it.
relevant because it focuses on the classroom.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 83

Competency 5—Knowledge of relevant continuous professional improvement

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

After a lesson about division a fourth grade teacher observes a majority of the students are having difficulty solving practice problems. That evening, the teacher ponders what could have been done to teach division more effectively. The teacher is using the strategy of

Choose an answer

assessment.
evaluation.
reflection.
clustering.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 84

Competency 6—Knowledge of the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

When a student with a large bruise on their face is questioned by the teacher, the student says that they fell at home while playing. Having previously noticed bruises on the student, the teacher suspects that the child is being abused. The teacher is required by law to contact the

Choose an answer

abuse hotline.
guidance counselor.
school administration.
social worker.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Question 85

Competency 6—Knowledge of the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

When parents request copies of software to use at home with their children, a teacher should consult

Choose an answer

acceptable use policy.
school technology plan.
site license guidelines.
software use procedures.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 86

Competency 6—Knowledge of the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Permitting students access to e-mails with attachments can be a potential danger to a school's network, because of

Choose an answer

fraudulent context.
nonacademic context.
pornography.
viruses.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: D.

Question 87

Competency 7—Knowledge of research-based practices appropriate for teaching English Language Learners (ELLs)

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A class has students from various cultural backgrounds. The teacher notices that students of like cultures are exhibiting similar skills and knowledge that differ from students of other cultures. This could be due to the impact of cultural knowledge on

Choose an answer

language.
habits.
transfer.
interactions.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 88

Competency 7—Knowledge of research-based practices appropriate for teaching English Language Learners (ELLs)

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following teaching strategies would best show sensitivity to English language learners’ language challenges?

Choose an answer

displaying the students' uncorrected English work in the classroom.
grouping students by their English knowledge and experience.
encouraging safe times to use academic English in class.
assigning students whose first language is English to tutor classmates.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: C.

Question 89

Competency 8—Knowledge of effective literacy strategies that can be applied across the curriculum to impact student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher is preparing students for a statewide assessment. The teacher asks the students to underline the bold type in the questions on the practice test. This test-taking strategy is known as

Choose an answer

rereading the entire text.
recognizing the key words.
eliminating the wrong answers.
skimming through the passage.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: B.

Question 90

Competency 8—Knowledge of effective literacy strategies that can be applied across the curriculum to impact student learning

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher instructs students to read a selection and then retell the information from the selection. The students are using the study skill of

Choose an answer

summarizing.
clarifying.
synthesizing.
classifying.

Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded: Correct Response: A.

Sections

Professional Education Test

Test Format and Sample Questions

Table of Question Formats

Sample Questions

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 1—Knowledge of instructional design and planning

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

Competency 2—Knowledge of appropriate student-centered learning environments

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 3—Knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation through a comprehensive understanding of subject matter

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning

Competency 4—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies for determining impact on student learning