FELE study guide
FELE · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE) is the assessment used in Florida for educators preparing to move into school-level administrative leadership roles. It is delivered through the FTCE/FELE program, whose website at fl.nesinc.com hosts the test selection menu, registration and account tools, test information guides, preparation resources, and score reporting. Candidates who are considering an assistant principal, principal, or other school leadership position should treat the FELE as the gateway assessment rather than an optional credential. The exam is organized into four leadership subtests plus a writing component: Subtest 1, Foundational Policies & Practices of School Leadership; Subtest 2, Leadership Practices for Student Learning; Subtest 3, Leadership Development; Subtest 4, Leadership Communication; and a separate Essay subtest (test code 825). The FELE study guide has 5 sections and about 1,283 words.
01Foundational Policies & Practices of School Leadership
Florida school leaders work inside a layered system. The State Board and Legislature set law and rule; the district school board sets local policy; the superintendent and district staff administer; the principal implements at the school.
287 words, about 1 min02Leadership Practices for Student Learning
Instructional leadership means keeping every decision tied to student learning. Understand standards-based curriculum, alignment of instruction and assessment, data teams and PLCs, MTSS (Tier 1 core, Tier 2 targeted, Tier 3 intensive), progress monitoring, and differentiation for ESE, ESOL, and gifted learners.
250 words, about 1 min03Leadership Development
Leadership development covers recruiting, selecting, inducting, supporting, evaluating, and retaining staff-and growing future leaders. Know the difference between evaluation (judging performance against standards) and professional development (building capacity).
229 words, about 1 min04Leadership Communication
Leadership communication is strategic, two-way, and audience-specific. Know how to build trust through transparency, active listening, and consistent messaging.
232 words, about 1 min05Leadership Communication Essay (825)
The essay section tests whether you can write a clear, organized, professional response to a school-leadership prompt under time pressure. Treat it as a performance task: identify the role, audience, and task verbs (analyze, recommend, justify); take a clear position; organize with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion; support claims with specific, plausible school-based evidence; and write in a professional tone.
285 words, about 1 min