TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC–12 (160) — All Questions

Research on parent involvement links it to which student outcomes?

• a.No measurable effect on students
• b.Lower attendance and more discipline problems
• c.Only better handwriting
• d.Better grades and behavior✓

Children with involved parents "have better grades, test scores, long-term academic achievement, attitudes, and behavior." No measurable effect is tempting as a skeptical view, but the research reports clear benefits.ERIC ED312776 (parent involvement)

What does Texas law say about parents' role in their children's education?

• a.Parents are partners with educators✓
• b.Parents' role ends when school begins
• c.Parents may observe but not take part
• d.Parents may act only through the board

Texas Education Code §26.001 says "Parents are partners with educators, administrators, and school district boards of trustees in their children's education." Observing only is tempting as a limited role, but the law encourages active participation.Texas Education Code 26.001

Under Texas law, what may a parent review?

• a.Only materials the principal approves
• b.All teaching materials in the class✓
• c.Only the textbook the class uses
• d.Only tests the child failed

A parent may "review all teaching materials, instructional materials, and other teaching aids used in the classroom of the parent's child." Only the textbook is tempting, but the law covers all materials.Texas Education Code 26.006

Under Texas law, does a teacher need written parental consent to ask a child verbally about the child's general well-being?

• a.Yes, any question to a child requires it
• b.No, unless the child is in special education
• c.Yes, but only for children under ten
• d.No, verbal well-being questions are exempt✓

The consent statute does not require written consent "before verbally asking the child about the child's general well-being." Any question requiring consent is tempting after the 2025 changes, but this exception is written into the law.Texas Education Code 26.009

A parent files a grievance against a teacher. What must the district's grievance procedure give the teacher?

• a.A transfer to another campus
• b.Nothing until the board decides
• c.An automatic dismissal of the complaint
• d.Notice and a written response✓

The procedure must provide the teacher "notice of the complaint" and "sufficient opportunity ... to submit a written response." Nothing until the board decides is tempting as a formal process, but the law requires notice and a response.Texas Education Code 26.011

A teacher keeps private notes as a personal memory aid that no one else sees. Under FERPA, are they education records?

• a.No, sole-possession notes are excluded✓
• b.No, unless the notes are handwritten
• c.Yes, all teacher notes are education records
• d.Yes, once the student leaves the school

FERPA excludes "Records that are kept in the sole possession of the maker, are used only as a personal memory aid, and are not accessible or revealed to any other person." All notes being records is tempting, but this exception is in the definition.34 CFR 99.3

Under Texas's parental-rights law, who counts as a "parent"?

• a.Only a parent who lives with the child
• b.Only a parent listed on the birth certificate
• c.Only a biological mother or father
• d.Anyone standing in parental relation✓

Texas Education Code §26.002 says "parent" includes "a person standing in parental relation." Only a biological parent is tempting, but the definition is broader.Texas Education Code 26.002

A Texas district may assign a mentor to a classroom teacher with how much experience?

• a.Only teachers in their first month
• b.Only teachers with alternative certificates
• c.Under two years in that subject or grade✓
• d.Less than five years in any district

A district "may assign a mentor teacher to each classroom teacher who has less than two years of teaching experience in the subject or grade level." Five years is tempting as a longer window, but the law says two.Texas Education Code 21.458

Under the Texas Education Code, who is the chief executive officer of a school district?

• a.The commissioner
• b.The board president
• c.The principal
• d.The superintendent✓

Texas Education Code §11.201 says "The superintendent is the educational leader and the chief executive officer of the school district." The principal is tempting, but the principal leads a campus.Texas Education Code 11.201

Under Texas's recommended appraisal process, may a classroom teacher appraise another teacher on the same campus?

• a.Yes, any teacher may appraise any colleague
• b.Generally not; chairs are an exception✓
• c.No, only the superintendent may appraise
• d.Yes, if the teacher volunteers

An appraiser who is a classroom teacher "may not appraise the performance of another classroom teacher who teaches at the same school campus," with exceptions such as a department or grade-level chair whose job includes observation. The superintendent option is tempting as a strict reading, but supervisors may appraise.Texas Education Code 21.351

How many performance levels does the T-TESS rubric use?

• a.Six
• b.Three
• c.Five✓
• d.Four

The T-TESS rubric has "5 performance levels: Distinguished, Accomplished, Proficient, Developing, and Improvement Needed." Four is tempting because the rubric has four domains, but it has five levels.TEA, T-TESS

Which topic must be included in every Texas educator's continuing professional education?

• a.Driving a school bus safely
• b.Managing a school budget
• c.Coaching an extracurricular sport
• d.Educating students with disabilities, including dyslexia✓

SBEC rules say "All educators must receive CPE training regarding educating students with disabilities," including information about dyslexia. School budgets is tempting for leaders, but it is not required for all educators.19 TAC 232.11

What is the most regional education service centers the commissioner may establish?

• a.50
• b.5
• c.254
• d.20✓

The commissioner provides "for the establishment and operation of not more than 20 regional education service centers." Two hundred fifty-four is tempting because it is a large Texas number, but it is not the ESC limit.Texas Education Code 8.001

To which of the following may a professional make a required child-abuse report in Texas?

• a.Law enforcement or DFPS✓
• b.Only a doctor
• c.Only the child's parents
• d.Only the school principal

A report "shall be made to: (1) a law enforcement agency; (2) the department; or (3)" the state agency over the facility where the abuse occurred. The principal is tempting because of campus procedures, but telling the principal does not satisfy the duty.Texas Family Code 261.103

Since September 1, 2023, what must a person give DFPS when reporting abuse or neglect?

• a.Nothing; reports must be anonymous
• b.A name and a phone number✓
• c.A signed statement from the child
• d.Proof that abuse occurred

DFPS "cannot accept anonymous reports" and requires "a personal first and last name and home or business phone number"; reporters' names are confidential by law. Proof is tempting, but reporters need only reasonable cause.DFPS, Report Abuse or Neglect

Which Code of Ethics standard bars sharing a student's confidential information without a lawful reason?

• a.Standard 1.13
• b.Standard 3.1✓
• c.Standard 2.8
• d.Standard 1.5

Standard 3.1 says the educator "shall not reveal confidential information concerning students unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law." Standard 1.5 is tempting as a familiar number, but it concerns gifts.19 TAC 247.2

A student gives a teacher a handmade card and a small plant at the end of the year. What does the Code of Ethics say?

• a.Open tokens of thanks are allowed✓
• b.All gifts from students are prohibited
• c.The teacher must pay the student for it
• d.The teacher must report it to SBEC

Standard 1.5 "shall not restrict the acceptance of gifts or tokens offered and accepted openly from students, parents of students, or other persons or organizations in recognition or appreciation of service." All gifts prohibited is tempting as a cautious rule, but the standard makes this exception.19 TAC 247.2

Under the Texas Education Code, who makes up the Texas Education Agency?

• a.The State Board of Education members
• b.All school district superintendents
• c.The commissioner and agency staff✓
• d.The regional service center directors

Texas Education Code §7.002 says "The commissioner of education and the agency staff comprise the Texas Education Agency." The State Board of Education is tempting, but it is a separate elected board.Texas Education Code 7.002

Who is always a member of a child's IEP team under IDEA?

• a.The child's parents✓
• b.A school board member
• c.The school's principal
• d.The student council president

IDEA requires the IEP team to include "The parents of the child." The principal is tempting, but the law requires a qualified district representative, not necessarily the principal.34 CFR 300.321

Does a parent's consent to an initial special education evaluation also consent to special education services?

• a.Yes, if the evaluation shows a disability
• b.No, services need separate consent✓
• c.No, services never need consent
• d.Yes, one consent covers both

IDEA says "Parental consent for initial evaluation must not be construed as consent for initial provision of special education and related services." One consent covering both is tempting for efficiency, but the rule separates them.34 CFR 300.300

Who establishes the procedures for administering and securing Texas state assessments?

• a.The commissioner of education✓
• b.The regional service centers
• c.Each classroom teacher
• d.Each student's parents

Texas Education Code §39.0301 says the commissioner "shall establish procedures for the administration of assessment instruments ... including procedures designed to ensure the security of the assessment instruments." Each classroom teacher is tempting because teachers administer tests, but they follow the commissioner's procedures.Texas Education Code 39.0301