An increasing number of states require successful completion of an administration-specific competency examination prior to initial administrative certification (Reitzug, in press-a). Given the controversies that have surrounded student and teacher competency testing, it is imperative that programs preparing educational leaders, and policymakers recommending legislation, consider the issues involved with competency testing prior to taking actions that may not be in the best interests of those they purport to serve. This paper discusses these issues, suggests questions competency testing raises for administrator preparation programs, and makes recommendations for policymakers.
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