Principal of an elementary school wrapping up the school year

Full Answer Section

      To improve academic achievement in the coming year, I will build and staff a plan that considers the needs of all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and students. I will also focus on the following areas:

• Curriculum: I will ensure that our curriculum is aligned with state and national standards and that it is challenging and engaging for all students.
• Instruction: I will provide professional development for teachers on effective instructional practices, such as differentiated instruction and data-driven decision making.
• Assessment: I will use data from assessments to identify students who are struggling and to provide them with the support they need.
• Parent involvement: I will work to engage parents in their children's education and to provide them with the resources they need to support their children's learning.

Stakeholders and Their Needs

• Parent of a 5th-grader at risk of retention: This parent is concerned about their child's academic progress and wants to know what they can do to help their child succeed.
• Precocious 4th-grader and informant: This student is bright and capable, but they are bored in their current class. They want to be challenged and to learn at a faster pace.
• Veteran math teacher: This teacher is experienced and knowledgeable, but they are feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their job. They want more support from the administration.
• New well-trained teacher: This teacher is eager and enthusiastic, but they are feeling overwhelmed by the newness of their job. They want more guidance and support from the administration.
• Veteran teacher and union representative: This teacher is knowledgeable about the school system and is a strong advocate for teachers' rights. They want to be involved in the decision-making process.

Addressing the Needs of Stakeholders To address the needs of all stakeholders, I will do the following:

• Meet with the parent of the 5th-grader at risk of retention: I will meet with the parent to discuss their concerns and to develop a plan to help their child succeed. This plan may include providing the child with extra support in the classroom, tutoring, or summer school.
• Meet with the precocious 4th-grader and informant: I will meet with the student to assess their academic needs and to develop a plan to challenge them and help them learn at a faster pace. This plan may include placing the student in a more advanced class, providing them with enrichment opportunities, or allowing them to participate in independent study.
• Meet with the veteran math teacher: I will meet with the teacher to discuss their concerns and to develop a plan to support them. This plan may include providing the teacher with more planning time, professional development, or support from other teachers.
• Meet with the new well-trained teacher: I will meet with the teacher to discuss their concerns and to develop a plan to support them. This plan may include providing the teacher with more guidance and support from other teachers, or observing the teacher in the classroom to provide feedback.
• Meet with the veteran teacher and union representative: I will meet with the teacher to discuss their concerns and to get their input on the school's plan to improve academic achievement. I will also involve the teacher in the decision-making process whenever possible.

Conclusion By building and staffing a plan that considers the needs of all stakeholders and by focusing on the areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and parent involvement, I can help to improve academic achievement for all students in my school.  

Sample Answer

   

As a first-year principal of an elementary school wrapping up the school year, my core values are:

• Student achievement: I believe that all students deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential.
• Equity: I believe that all students should have access to high-quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances.
• Collaboration: I believe that the best way to achieve student success is through collaboration between school staff, parents, and the community.