SLLA study guide
SLLA · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) is the ETS examination that many states use as one component of the licensure process for aspiring principals, assistant principals, and other building-level administrators. It is intended for candidates who have completed, or are finishing, a graduate preparation program in educational leadership and who are ready to move from classroom or teacher-leader roles into formal school administration. The SLLA study guide has 6 sections and about 1,974 words.
01Vision, Mission, and Strategic Goals
A vision describes the aspirational future the school is trying to create - what it will become. A mission states present purpose and whom the school serves - why it exists today.
359 words, about 2 min02Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum
Curriculum work means ensuring a guaranteed and viable curriculum : every student has access to the same priority standards, taught in a defensible sequence within available time. That requires horizontal alignment (same grade/course) and vertical alignment (across grades) and the practice of unwrapping standards into learning targets students can name.
333 words, about 2 min03Managing Organizational Systems, Operations, and Safety
Operational leadership covers resources, people, systems, and safety . On resources: budget aligned to improvement goals, understanding of supplemental funding rules, and the distinction between recurring and one-time dollars.
308 words, about 2 min04Collaborating with Families and Community Stakeholders
The framework most tested is Epstein's six types of involvement : parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home, decision making, and collaborating with the community. Strong programs are two-way, continuous, and built into the school's calendar and budget rather than added on.
313 words, about 2 min05Professional Ethics, Integrity, and Equity
Ethics here means the educator code of conduct plus the habits of integrity: honesty in reporting, confidentiality with a legitimate educational interest standard, conflicts of interest and gifts, appropriate use of data and social media, and the duty to speak up when something is wrong. Equity is not equality.
330 words, about 2 min06The Education System and Instructional Leadership Context
Principals work inside a layered system. The federal government attaches conditions to funding and guarantees civil rights.
331 words, about 2 min