Director of Studies - Questions Package on School Leadership

Here are questions based on the "Professional Standards for Effective School Leadership in Rwanda" document, structured according to the five key standards.

### **General Questions about the Standards**

1.  What is the strategic priority of MINEDUC regarding school leadership (as per the 2018/2024 ESSP)?

2.  Why is having an effective leader in every school considered a crucial strategic choice?

3.  According to the document, what is the key to achieving the goal of having effective teachers and academic success for all students?

4.  What are the five professional standards for effective school leaders in Rwanda?

5.  Who developed these professional standards?

6.  Name the four main uses of these professional standards.

7.  How do the standards guide the recruitment of school leaders? (Hint: Job description and person specification)

8.  How are the standards used as a framework for performance assessment?

9.  Do the standards prescribe specific actions for school leaders? Explain.

10. Who are the intended users of these professional standards?

11. Which level of leadership do the specific activities described in the standards primarily focus on?

### **Standard 1: Creating Strategic Direction for the School **

**Knowledge-Based Questions:**

12. What national, regional, and international trends should an effective school leader be knowledgeable about?

13. Why must a school leader understand the context and culture of the community where the school is located?

14. What are the key components of a school's strategic direction?

15. Describe the school improvement planning process.

16. What are the principles of effective communication for a school leader?

**Skill-Based Questions:**

17. What does it mean for a school leader to "think strategically and critically" about school improvement?

18. Who should be involved in setting the school's vision, mission, and values?

19. How should a school leader communicate the school's vision and mission?

20. How can student and school performance data be used to inform decisions?

21. Describe the leader's role in the School Improvement Plan (SIP) process.

22. How can a leader inspire the school community to support the school's vision?

23. What is the importance of monitoring and evaluating the SIP?

**Attitude-Based Questions:**

24. Why must a leader believe in "putting student learning achievement first"?

25. Explain the commitment to both "excellence and equity."

26. Why is the belief that "all students can learn" fundamental to setting a strategic direction?

27. What is the value of continuous school improvement and professional learning?

28. Why is it important to value inputs from the school community in the planning process?

**Evidence-Based Questions:**

29. Where should the school's written vision, mission, and values be displayed?

30. What kind of report provides evidence of data analysis for strategic planning?

31. How should the SIP be aligned with the school's vision and mission?

32. What do the minutes of meetings for developing the vision and SIP prove?

33. What is the purpose of SIP monitoring and evaluation reports?

**Scenario/Application Questions:**

34. As a dean of studies, how would you contribute to the development of your school's strategic direction?

35. Your school's performance data shows a decline in science subjects. What strategic steps would you recommend?

36. How would you handle a situation where the community's cultural values seem to conflict with the school's mission of gender equality?

37. Describe how you would present the new SIP to a skeptical group of teachers.

### **Standard 2: Leading Learning **

**Knowledge-Based Questions:**

38. What must a leader understand about the national curriculum?

39. Name some effective learning strategies a school leader should know.

40. Differentiate between assessment *for*, *as*, and *of* learning.

41. Why is the continuous collection of student learning data important?

42. What is the value of collaborative learning among students?

43. What are the characteristics of a conducive learning environment?

44. How can ICT be integrated into the learning process?

**Skill-Based Questions:**

45. How does a leader communicate learning expectations from the curriculum to students?

46. What is the process for setting student learning goals?

47. How can a leader help students understand their own responsibility for their learning?

48. Describe the cycle of collecting, recording, and analyzing student learning data.

49. How does a leader facilitate the integration of ICT in learning?

50. What structures can be established to promote collaborative learning and problem-solving among students?

51. What actions can a leader take to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment?

52. Why is it important for a leader to be a role model for students?

**Attitude-Based Questions:**

53. Why must student learning be the absolute priority for a school leader?

54. How does a leader promote the idea that students are the primary responsible for their learning?

55. What does a commitment to "high learning achievement for *all* students" imply?

56. How should a leader demonstrate a commitment to supporting struggling learners?

57. Why is creating and sustaining a conducive learning environment an ongoing commitment?

**Evidence-Based Questions:**

58. What are SMART learning goals, and where should a record of them be kept?

59. How can you, as a dean, provide evidence that students understand their learning goals and roles?

60. What would minutes of meetings with students about learning look like?

61. What might a "student learning performance contract" contain?

62. How can you prove that ICT devices are available and effectively used according to a timetable?

63. What records show the effectiveness of structures for collaborative learning?

**Scenario/Application Questions:**

64. You notice a group of students is consistently underperforming. What steps do you take to lead learning improvement for this group?

65. A teacher complains that students are not taking responsibility for their homework. How do you address this from a "leading learning" perspective?

66. Propose a plan to improve the use of the computer lab to enhance learning across various subjects.

67. How would you promote a culture of reading for pleasure within the school to support learning?

### **Standard 3: Leading Teaching (Kuyobora Imyigishirize)**

**Knowledge-Based Questions:**

68. Why is it important to set clear teaching expectations?

69. Why are sufficient teaching and learning resources crucial for implementing the curriculum?

70. What is involved in planning and providing teacher support?

71. What techniques can be used to monitor and evaluate teacher practice?

72. What strategies promote continuous professional development (CPD) for teachers?

73. What factors can affect a teacher's motivation and commitment?

74. How can a leader ensure inclusion and gender responsiveness among the teaching staff?

75. How can ICT improve teaching, data collection, and reporting?

**Skill-Based Questions:**

76. How does a leader set and communicate teaching expectations?

77. What can a leader do to motivate teachers to create and use teaching resources?

78. How does a leader facilitate the teaching and learning process in line with the curriculum?

79. How can data be used to improve teaching and assessment?

80. What factors should be considered when allocating teachers to specific grades or subjects?

81. Describe different types of support a leader can plan for teachers.

82. How can a leader organize effective CPD activities?

83. What is the value of observing lessons and providing constructive feedback?

84. How can a leader facilitate teachers' use of ICT?

85. How can a leader help teachers access updated teaching resources?

86. What structures can be set up for collaborative teaching and problem-solving?

**Attitude-Based Questions:**

87. Why is a leader's belief in setting teaching expectations important?

88. How does a leader demonstrate commitment to facilitating the curriculum?

89. Why must a leader be committed to using data for decision-making in teaching?

90. How does a leader show commitment to equitable teacher allocation based on competence and student needs?

91. Why is ongoing teacher support and CPD a non-negotiable commitment for a leader?

**Evidence-Based Questions:**

92. Where in the SIP would teaching practice expectations be reflected?

93. What records prove that teachers are borrowing, creating, and using teaching materials?

94. What do reports from classroom observations and feedback discussions contain?

95. What makes a timetable "well-elaborated"?

96. What evidence exists of Communities of Practice (CoP) or other CPD sessions?

97. How are demonstration lessons used as evidence of leading teaching?

98. What is the role of subject departments, and what evidence of their work should exist?

99. What criteria should be in place for allocating teachers to grades?

**Scenario/Application Questions:**

100. A talented but inexperienced teacher is struggling with classroom management. What specific support would you, as the dean, provide?

101. The national curriculum has been updated. How would you lead your teaching staff through this change?

102. You have a limited budget for teaching resources. How do you decide which resources to prioritize?

103. How would you handle a situation where two teachers in the same subject department are not collaborating?

### **Standard 4: Managing the School as an Organization (Gucunga Ikigo k’Ishuri)**

**Knowledge-Based Questions:**

104. What different types of resources (human, financial, etc.) must a school leader manage?

105. What are the principles of effective communication within an organization?

106. What policies, laws, and regulations must a school leader be familiar with?

**Skill-Based Questions:**

107. How does a leader effectively communicate national policies and internal school rules?

108. How does a leader establish and improve structures that facilitate teaching and learning?

109. What is effective delegation, and why is it important?

110. How should a leader make professional decisions?

111. How does a leader use data to identify areas for performance improvement?

112. What does it mean to manage staff effectively and hold them accountable?

113. How does a leader develop context-appropriate school policies?

114. How does a leader manage change within the school?

115. How should resources be allocated to maximize impact on student learning?

116. What strategies can be used to manage conflicts within the school?

**Attitude-Based Questions:**

117. Why should the primary purpose of resource management be to support teaching and learning?

118. How does a leader show commitment to creating a conducive environment?

119. Why is collaboration with the school community in the management process essential?

**Evidence-Based Questions:**

120. Where should performance expectations and school rules be displayed?

121. How can you prove that the school community knows and understands these rules?

122. What evidence shows that management structures are functional?

123. Why are monitoring and evaluation reports crucial for management?

124. What documented strategies exist for motivating staff and students?

**Scenario/Application Questions:**

125. There is a conflict between a teacher and a support staff member. How would you manage this?

126. The school receives a sudden, unexpected donation. How would you decide, in a transparent way, how to use it for maximum impact?

127. Enrollment has increased dramatically, leading to overcrowded classrooms. What managerial steps would you take?

128. How would you ensure that the school's timetable is respected by all teachers?

### **Standard 5: Working with Parents and the Wider Community (Gukorana n’Ababyeyi n’Umuryango Mugari)**

**Knowledge-Based Questions:**

129. Why must a leader understand the community context of the school?

130. What future trends might impact the school community?

131. What other local institutions can a school partner with?

132. What strategies can be used to involve parents and the community?

133. How can student and community mobility impact learning?

134. What are the roles and responsibilities of the School General Assembly (SGA) and its committees?

**Skill-Based Questions:**

135. How does a leader build positive relationships with parents and the community?

136. How should a leader respond to educational challenges identified within the community?

137. How can a leader mobilize parents to support the school's mission and activities?

138. How does a leader implement resolutions from the SGA?

139. How can a leader build the capacity of parents to support their children's learning?

140. How should a leader respond to the diverse concerns of the community?

141. How can Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) with other school leaders be beneficial?

142. Why is participating in community development activities important for a school leader?

**Attitude-Based Questions:**

143. What character traits (e.g., integrity, trust) are essential when dealing with the community?

144. Why is respecting every member of the school community fundamental?

145. How does enhancing parental capacity ultimately benefit the school?

146. Why should a leader be open to different views from the community?

147. Why is it important for a leader to be accountable to the community for student results?

148. What is the value of learning from other schools?

**Evidence-Based Questions:**

149. Describe an effective home-school communication system. What tools can be used?

150. What is the importance of minutes from SGA and committee meetings?

151. What do reports from PLC sessions show?

152. How can a school document events like open days that involve the community?

153. What records show activities accomplished through parent-community partnership?

154. How can you prove that capacity-building activities for parents have taken place?

155. How does the school show its participation in community development?

**Scenario/Application Questions:**

156. Parents are complaining that they are not informed about their children's progress. How do you address this?

157. A local business offers to partner with the school. How would you initiate and manage this partnership?

158. There is a misunderstanding between the community and the school over a land issue. What is your role as a leader?

159. How would you organize a successful "School Open Day" to engage parents and the community.

### **Standard 1: Creating Strategic Direction **

160. How would you conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) for your school as part of the strategic planning process?

161. Your school's vision is "To be a center of academic excellence and holistic development." How would you translate this broad vision into specific, measurable goals for the next academic year?

162. A major donor offers a significant sum of money for a new sports field, but your SIP prioritizes a science laboratory. How would you navigate this potential conflict in strategic direction?

163. How can you ensure that the school's strategic plan is a "living document" referred to daily, rather than a report that sits on a shelf?

164. Describe how you would communicate a major strategic change (e.g., a new language policy) to a resistant group of veteran teachers.

165. What key performance indicators (KPIs) would you establish to measure progress towards your strategic goals, beyond just exam results?

### **Standard 2: Leading Learning **

166. How would you, as dean, promote and support differentiated instruction to cater to the diverse learning needs and paces within a single classroom?

167. A student is consistently gifted in arts but struggles severely in mathematics. How would you advocate for this student's learning needs within the school's framework?

168. Propose a strategy for implementing "assessment *as* learning" (e.g., self-assessments, peer assessments) across the school.

169. How would you deal with a parent who believes rote memorization is more important than the critical thinking skills the curriculum promotes?

170. Describe how you would use student learning data to identify a specific skill gap (e.g., comprehension in English) and design a school-wide intervention.

171. How can you foster a "growth mindset" culture among students, where they see challenges as opportunities to learn rather than as failures?

### **Standard 3: Leading Teaching **

172. You notice a teacher is highly effective but isolated and unwilling to share practices. How would you encourage this teacher to become a mentor to others?

173. Describe a process for conducting a constructive and non-threatening classroom observation that focuses on teacher development, not just evaluation.

174. How would you handle a situation where a teacher's personal beliefs (e.g., on gender roles) negatively influence their teaching practice and contradict school policy?

175. A teacher is resistant to using new technology mandated by the curriculum. What steps would you take to build their capacity and confidence?

176. Beyond formal CoP meetings, what informal strategies can you use to create a culture of collaborative practice among teachers?

177. How would you balance the need for standardized teaching expectations with allowing teachers the professional autonomy to be creative in their methods?

### **Standard 4: Managing the School **

178. Describe the key elements you would include in a "School Operations Manual" to ensure smooth and consistent management.

179. A valuable piece of school equipment (e.g., a projector) is broken. What is your step-by-step process for managing its repair or replacement, from reporting to resolution?

180. How would you conduct a effective staff meeting that is productive, focused on learning, and respects everyone's time?

181. A new government circular introduces a change in reporting procedures with a very short deadline. How do you manage this change efficiently with your staff?

182. What is your strategy for effective time management as a leader, balancing administrative tasks with your role in leading teaching and learning?

183. How would you develop a succession plan for key roles within the school, such as head of department or even your own role as dean?

### **Standard 5: Working with Parents & Community **

184. A prominent community leader publicly criticizes the school's discipline policy. How do you respond and manage this relationship?

185. How would you design and implement a "Parent Education" program on a topic like supporting children's literacy or digital safety at home?

186. Propose a specific, mutually beneficial partnership project with a local business (e.g., a bank, a farm, a tech company).

187. How can you leverage the skills and expertise of parents (e.g., doctors, engineers, farmers) to enhance the school's curriculum and career guidance?

188. In a context where some parents are illiterate, how do you ensure they are still fully informed and engaged in their children's education?

189. A conflict arises between two groups of parents regarding a school event. What is your role as a mediator?

### **Cross-Cutting & Synthesis Questions (Applying Multiple Standards)**

190. **Scenario:** The latest national exam results show a significant drop in your school's performance in STEM subjects.

    * How do you use **Standard 1** to initiate a strategic response?

    * What specific **Leading Learning (2)** actions would you take?

    * How would you support and guide your **teachers (3)** through this?

    * What **resources (4)** would you re-allocate to address this?

    * How would you **communicate (5)** this situation and the plan to parents?

191. How does effective communication (a skill in Standard 1) serve as the foundation for successfully implementing all the other four standards?

192. Describe how a Community of Practice (PLC) for teachers (Standard 3) can directly contribute to achieving the school's strategic goals (Standard 1).

193. Explain how managing financial resources effectively (Standard 4) is essential for creating a conducive learning environment (Standard 2) and providing teaching materials (Standard 3).

194. How can data from parent-teacher meetings (Standard 5) be used to inform the School Improvement Plan (Standard 1)?

195. If you could only focus on improving one standard next year to create the biggest overall impact on student success, which one would you choose and why? (Justify your answer by explaining its ripple effects on the other standards).