School-based Administrative Exam Information

EXAM ANNOUNCEMENTS

Exams and their application deadlines are announced in the District Spotlight newsletter and in exam announcements sent to all District schools and offices. You may also obtain information about current and upcoming exams by calling the Administrative Selection Unit at (213) 241-6886 or visiting http://www.teachinla.com/admin_vacancies.

DIMENSIONS

The current examination process for school-based administrator classifications is based on dimensions of behavior needed for effective job performance as a school-based administrator. These dimensions were identified through an in-depth job analysis of school-based administrator classifications.

Examination dimensions are selected from the following:

Analysis, Judgment, Decisiveness, Extra-Organizational Sensitivity, Planning and Organizing, Leadership and Influence, Instructional Leadership, Initiative and Innovativeness, Oral Communication, Written Communication, Knowledge of Curricular Concepts and Instructional Methodology, Knowledge of Educational/District Policies and Procedures, Knowledge of School Management, and Knowledge of Special Education Law, Theories, and Practices.

Depending on the particular job classification, the composition of the dimensions tested in the examination process may differ. An exam plan showing the dimensions measured in each exam part is included in individual application packets.

EXAM PARTS

Recommendation of Readiness (RoR): In order to participate in an administrative examination process, applicants will have to be recommended by their current immediate supervisor (must be Principal-level or above) and second-level administrator (or Local District Director.) Applicants are to schedule career-planning sessions with their current supervisor and administrator to discuss their administrative experiences discussed in SPEA and their readiness to assume a school based administrative position.

Certificated Administrative Candidate Portfolio: Applicants will be asked to document their exemplary certificated experiences for each dimension using Success Indicator quesions.

Multiple choice written test: The written test covers the knowledge dimensions which are described in the exam announcement.

Structured interview: The interview solicits information about the candidate's experience related to the requirements of the job. The questions focus on the behavioral dimensions measured in this test part.

In addition to the exam parts listed above, an examination consists of one or more of the following test parts:

Situational Judgment Exercise: The situational judgment exercise presents the applicant with a job-related scenario. Applicants will be asked to prioritize and decide on a course of action in response to the hypothetical situations.

Role Play: The role play exercise will involve the candidate, assuming the role of the incumbent, interacting with another person or group of people to resolve a job-related issue.

Current principals and adiministrators participate as subject-matter experts in the development and review of each test part. Candidates who do not meet performance requirements may be eliminated before all test parts are administered. Because ratings and results of examination performance are confidential, post-examination reviews of individual results are limited to feedback that does not compromise confidentiality.

EXAM PREPARATION

The best preparation for this kind of examination is to seek experiences that are similar to those performed by school administrators. Ask your principal or another administrator how you can become involved in these kinds of activities, such as serving in a coordinator position, chairing a committee, or planning and organizing a special event. Volunteering time to help the administrators at your school is often beneficial to your development and preparation for an administrative position. Last minute studying is rarely an effective technique to use as preparation for an employment exam.

With regard to preparing for the written test, your school (or office) should have reading materials, such as Guides, Reference Manuals, Board Rules Memorandums, and Bulletins on hand. Many of these materials are now available on the LAUSD website as well.

The eligible list consists of the individuals with the highest overall scores whose dimensional scores are evaluated as fully satisfactory. This unranked list is established for a period of two years.

For additional information about the exam process, contact the Personnel Research and Assessment Section at (213) 241-6356.

To obtain an application after an exam has been announced, call the Administrative Selection Unit, (213) 241-6886.