AEPA Field 281 Principal Subtest II
Exam 2026 Guide
1. A low-performing elementary school has a goal of in- communicating to the en-
creasing student performance in math and reading tire school community the
by a defined amount. Students take district-mandated school's strong commit-
interim assessments in these areas from time to time ment to improved student
during the year as well as state assessments near the achievement
end of each year. The school's new principal decides
to have a large, brightly colored chart created that
will be used to graphically display changes in student
performance in math and reading over time. The chart
will be placed in a prominent spot in front of the cafe-
teria. Which of the following is likely to be the most
significant benefit of the principal's decision to use the
chart?
2. According to research, which of the following changes expanded use of
in a learning environment is likely to have the greatest high-quality comput-
positive effect on students' attitudes and motivation er-based instruction
regarding learning?
3. An elementary school has developed a system where prompting families to view
teachers provide the parents/guardians of students themselves as valued part-
with a monthly "learning bulletin" that contains infor- ners who can play an im-
mation about what their children will be studying in portant role in promoting
the coming month as well as a description of what students' school success
families can do to support their children's learning at
home. The learning bulletins include, for example, tips
for promoting students' homework completion and
strategies for reinforcing students' current learning
during everyday activities such as meal preparation
and during games families can play together. Inclusion
of the learning bulletins in the school program is likely
, AEPA Field 281 Principal Subtest II
Exam 2026 Guide
to be most effective in helping achieve which of the
following goals?
4. A new principal in a low-performing school wants to introducing new teaching
eliminate some instructional practices commonly used practices by involving the
by teachers in the school and replace them with prac- teachers in low-risk activi-
tices that have been shown to be more effective at ties in small group settings
promoting student learning. After meeting with initial
teacher resistance, the principal finds research sug-
gesting that teachers' readiness to learn and change
often depends in part on their confidence and self-es-
teem. In the situation described, the principal can best
apply this understanding by using which of the follow-
ing approaches?
5. In reviewing the results of a school culture and climate soliciting input from
survey administered to students, the principal finds school statt regarding like-
that ratings were particularly low in a section of the ly reasons for the low stu-
survey addressing students' motivation and sense of dent ratings and possible
being encouraged to achieve high standards of aca- solutions
demic performance. The principal can best follow up
on this result by taking which of the following actions
first?
6. The teachers in a school are assigned to teams that How should we respond to
were established to enhance the school's functioning students who experience
and provide team members with various types of pro- diflculties in learning?
fessional support. A key goal driving the school at
this time is to "set and achieve high academic and
behavior expectations for every student." In observing
the teams, the principal can best ensure that they are
striving to meet this goal if team members are seen
Exam 2026 Guide
1. A low-performing elementary school has a goal of in- communicating to the en-
creasing student performance in math and reading tire school community the
by a defined amount. Students take district-mandated school's strong commit-
interim assessments in these areas from time to time ment to improved student
during the year as well as state assessments near the achievement
end of each year. The school's new principal decides
to have a large, brightly colored chart created that
will be used to graphically display changes in student
performance in math and reading over time. The chart
will be placed in a prominent spot in front of the cafe-
teria. Which of the following is likely to be the most
significant benefit of the principal's decision to use the
chart?
2. According to research, which of the following changes expanded use of
in a learning environment is likely to have the greatest high-quality comput-
positive effect on students' attitudes and motivation er-based instruction
regarding learning?
3. An elementary school has developed a system where prompting families to view
teachers provide the parents/guardians of students themselves as valued part-
with a monthly "learning bulletin" that contains infor- ners who can play an im-
mation about what their children will be studying in portant role in promoting
the coming month as well as a description of what students' school success
families can do to support their children's learning at
home. The learning bulletins include, for example, tips
for promoting students' homework completion and
strategies for reinforcing students' current learning
during everyday activities such as meal preparation
and during games families can play together. Inclusion
of the learning bulletins in the school program is likely
, AEPA Field 281 Principal Subtest II
Exam 2026 Guide
to be most effective in helping achieve which of the
following goals?
4. A new principal in a low-performing school wants to introducing new teaching
eliminate some instructional practices commonly used practices by involving the
by teachers in the school and replace them with prac- teachers in low-risk activi-
tices that have been shown to be more effective at ties in small group settings
promoting student learning. After meeting with initial
teacher resistance, the principal finds research sug-
gesting that teachers' readiness to learn and change
often depends in part on their confidence and self-es-
teem. In the situation described, the principal can best
apply this understanding by using which of the follow-
ing approaches?
5. In reviewing the results of a school culture and climate soliciting input from
survey administered to students, the principal finds school statt regarding like-
that ratings were particularly low in a section of the ly reasons for the low stu-
survey addressing students' motivation and sense of dent ratings and possible
being encouraged to achieve high standards of aca- solutions
demic performance. The principal can best follow up
on this result by taking which of the following actions
first?
6. The teachers in a school are assigned to teams that How should we respond to
were established to enhance the school's functioning students who experience
and provide team members with various types of pro- diflculties in learning?
fessional support. A key goal driving the school at
this time is to "set and achieve high academic and
behavior expectations for every student." In observing
the teams, the principal can best ensure that they are
striving to meet this goal if team members are seen
