Attachment III

Principal Test Framework

DOMAIN I—SCHOOL CULTURE (School and Community Leadership)

Competency 001: The beginning principal knows how to establish and implement a shared vision
and culture of high expectations for all stakeholders (students, staff, parents, and community).

A. Creates a positive, collaborative, and collegial campus culture that sets high expectations and
facilitates the implementation and achievement of campus initiatives and goals

B. Uses emerging issues, recent research, knowledge of systems (e.g., school improvement process,
strategic planning, etc.), and various types of data (e.g., demographic, perceptive, student learning,
and processes) to collaboratively develop a shared campus vision and a plan for implementing the
vision

C. Facilitates the collaborative development of a plan that clearly articulates objectives and strategies for
implementing a campus vision

D. Aligns financial, human, and material resources to support implementation of a campus vision and
mission

E. Establishes procedures to assess and modify implementation plans to promote achievement of the
campus vision

F. Models and promotes the continuous and appropriate development of all stakeholders in the school
community, to shape the campus culture

G. Establishes and communicates consistent expectations for all stakeholders, providing supportive
feedback to promote a positive campus environment

H. Implements effective strategies to systematically gather input from all campus stakeholders,
supporting innovative thinking and an inclusive culture

I. Creates an atmosphere of safety that encourages the social, emotional, and physical well-being of
staff and students

J. Facilitates the implementation of research-based theories and techniques to promote a campus

Competency 002: The beginning principal knows how to work with stakeholders as key partners
to support student learning.

A. Acknowledges, recognizes, and celebrates the contributions of all stakeholders toward the realization
of the campus vision

B. Implements strategies to ensure the development of collegial relationships and effective collaboration

C. Uses consensus-building, conflict-management, communication, and information-gathering strategies

D. Ensures that parents and other members of the community are an integral part of the campus culture
DOMAIN II—LEADING LEARNING (Instructional Leadership/Teaching and Learning)

Competency 003: The beginning principal knows how to collaboratively develop and implement
high-quality instruction.

A. Prioritizes instruction and student achievement by understanding, sharing, and promoting a clear
definition of high-quality instruction based on best practices from recent research

B. Facilitates the use of sound, research-based practice in the development, implementation,

C. Facilitates campus participation in collaborative district planning, implementation, monitoring, and

D. Implements a rigorous curriculum that is aligned with state standards, including college and career-
readiness standards

E. Facilitates the use and integration of technology, telecommunications, and information systems to
enhance learning

Competency 004: The beginning principal knows how to monitor and assess classroom
instruction to promote teacher effectiveness and student achievement.

A. Monitors instruction routinely by visiting classrooms, observing instruction, and attending grade-level,
department, or team meetings to provide evidence-based feedback to improve instruction

B. Analyzes the curriculum collaboratively to guide teachers in aligning content across grades and
ensures that curricular scopes and sequences meet the particular needs of their diverse student
populations (considering sociological, linguistic, cultural, and other factors)

C. Monitors and ensures staff use of multiple forms of student data to inform instruction and intervention
decisions that maximizes instructional effectiveness and student achievement

D. Promotes instruction that supports the growth of individual students and student groups, supports
equity, and works to reduce the achievement gap

E. Supports staff in developing the capacity and time to collaboratively and individually use classroom
formative and summative assessment data to inform effective instructional practices and interventions

DOMAIN III—HUMAN CAPITAL (Human Resource Management)

Competency 005: The beginning principal knows how to provide feedback, coaching, and
professional development to staff through evaluation and supervision, knows how to reflect on
his/her own practice, and strives to grow professionally.

A. Communicates expectations to staff and uses multiple data points (e.g., regular observations, walk-
throughs, teacher and student data, and other sources) to complete evidence-based evaluations of all
staff

B. Coaches and develops teachers by facilitating teacher self-assessment and goal setting, conducting
conferences, giving individualized feedback, and supporting individualized professional growth
opportunities
C. Collaborates to develop, implement, and revise a comprehensive and ongoing plan for the
professional development of campus staff that addresses staff needs based on staff appraisal trends,
goals, and student information/data

D. Facilitates a continuum of effective professional development activities that includes appropriate

E. Engages in ongoing and meaningful professional growth activities, reflects on his or her practice,
seeks and acts on feedback, and strives to continually improve, learn, and grow

F. Seeks assistance (e.g., mentor, central office) to ensure effective and reflective decision making and
works collaboratively with campus and district leadership

Competency 006: The beginning principal knows how to promote high-quality teaching by using
selection, placement, and retention practices to promote teacher excellence and growth.

A. Invests and manages time to prioritize the development, support, and supervision of the staff to
maximize student outcomes

B. Facilitates collaborative structures that support professional learning communities in reviewing data,
processes, and policies in order to improve teaching and learning in the school

C. Creates leadership opportunities, defines roles, and delegates responsibilities to effective staff and
administrators to support campus goal attainment

D. Implements effective, appropriate, and legal strategies for the recruitment, screening, hiring,
assignment, induction, development, evaluation, promotion, retention, discipline, and dismissal of
campus staff

DOMAIN IV—EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP (Communication and Organizational Management)

Competency 007: The beginning principal knows how to develop relationships with internal and
external stakeholders, including selecting appropriate communication strategies for particular
audiences.

A. Understands how to effectively communicate a message in different ways to meet the needs of
various audiences

B. Develops and implements strategies for systematically communicating internally and externally

C. Develops and implements a comprehensive program of community relations that uses strategies that
effectively involve and inform multiple constituencies

D. Establishes partnerships with parents, businesses, and other groups in the community to strengthen
programs and support campus goals

Competency 008: The beginning principal knows how to focus on improving student outcomes
through organizational collaboration, resiliency, and change management.

A. Demonstrates awareness of social and economic issues that exist within the school and community
that affect campus operations and student learning

B. Gathers and organizes information from a variety of sources to facilitate creative thinking, critical
thinking, and problem solving to guide effective campus decision making
C. Frames, analyzes, and creatively resolves campus problems using effective problem-solving
techniques to make timely, high-quality decisions

D. Develops, implements, and evaluates systems and processes for organizational effectiveness to keep
staff inspired and focused on the campus vision

E. Uses effective planning, time management, and organization of work to support attainment of school
district and campus goals

DOMAIN V—STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Alignment and Resource Allocation)

Competency 009: The beginning principal knows how to collaboratively determine goals and
implement strategies aligned with the school vision that support teacher effectiveness and
positive student outcomes.

A. Assesses the current needs of the campus, analyzing a wide set of evidence to determine campus
objectives, and sets measurable school goals, targets, and strategies that form the school’s strategic
plans

B. Establishes structures that outline and track the progress using multiple data points and makes
adjustments as needed to improve teacher effectiveness and student outcomes

C. Allocates resources effectively (e.g., staff time, master schedule, dollars, and tools), aligning them
with school objectives and goals, and works to access additional resources as needed to support
learning

D. Implements appropriate management techniques and group processes to define roles, assign
functions, delegate authority, and determine accountability for campus goal attainment

Competency 010: The beginning principal knows how to provide administrative leadership through
resource management, policy implementation, and coordination of school operations and
programs to ensure a safe learning environment.

A. Implements strategies that enable the physical plant, equipment, and support systems to operate
safely, efficiently, and effectively to maintain a conducive learning environment

B. Applies strategies for ensuring the safety of students and personnel and for addressing emergencies
and security concerns, including developing and implementing a crisis plan

C. Applies local, state, and federal laws and policies to support sound decisions while considering
implications related to all school operations and programs (e.g., student services, food services,
health services, and transportation)

D. Collaboratively plans and effectively manages the campus budget within state law and district policies
to promote sound financial management in relation to accounts, bidding, purchasing, and grants

E. Uses technology to enhance school management (e.g., attendance systems, teacher grade books,
shared drives, and messaging systems)

F. Facilitates the effective coordination of campus curricular, cocurricular, and extracurricular programs
in relation to other school district programs to fulfill the academic, developmental, social, and cultural
needs of students

G. Collaborates with district staff to ensure the understanding and implementation of district policies and
advocates for the needs of students and staff
H. Implements strategies for student discipline and attendance in a manner that ensures student
safety, consistency, and equity and that legal requirements are met (e.g., due process, SPED
requirements)

DOMAIN VI—ETHICS, EQUITY, AND DIVERSITY

Competency 011: The beginning principal knows how to provide ethical leadership by
advocating for children and ensuring student access to effective educators, programs, and
services.

A. Implements policies and procedures that require all campus personnel to comply with the
Educators' Code of Ethics (TAC Chapter 247)

B. Models and promotes the highest standard of conduct, ethical principles, and integrity in
decision making, actions, and behaviors

C. Advocates for all children by promoting the continuous and appropriate development of all
learners in the campus community

D. Implements strategies to ensure that all students have access to effective educators and
continuous opportunities to learn

E. Promotes awareness and appreciation of diversity throughout the campus community (e.g.,
learning differences, multicultural awareness, gender sensitivity, and ethnic appreciation)

F. Facilitates and supports special campus programs that provide all students with quality,
flexible instructional programs and services (e.g., health, guidance, and counseling
programs) to meet individual student needs

G. Applies legal guidelines (e.g., in relation to students with disabilities, bilingual education,
confidentiality, and discrimination) to protect the rights of students and staff and to improve
learning opportunities

H. Articulates the importance of education in a free, democratic society