CULTURE COUNTS “If the fish in your aquarium are not as healthy as they should be . . . Don’t blame the fish! Instead, consider changing the water.” Creating a School Culture that Works for Everyone
Dec 25, 2015
CULTURE COUNTS
“If the fish in your aquarium are not as healthy as they should be . . .
Don’t blame the fish! Instead, consider changing the water.”
Creating a School Culture that Works for Everyone
LEARNING GOALS FOR TODAY
Share functional definitions of school culture Examine the importance of school culture and
what it has to do with student achievement How to monitor and improve your school
culture
WHAT IS “SCHOOL CULTURE”
“The way we do things around here.” (Bower)
“School culture is the set of norms, values and beliefs, rituals and ceremonies, symbols and stories that make up the “persona” of the school.” (Peterson)
WHAT IS “SCHOOL CULTURE”
“ . . . the assumptions, habits, expectations, and beliefs of the school’s staff . . .” (DuFour and Burnette)
“It is all about how people treat each other, feel about each other, and how they work together in both a personal and professional sense.” (Phillips)
WHAT IS “SCHOOL CULTURE”
“ . . . shared experiences both in and out of school (traditions and celebrations), a sense of community, of family and team.” (Wagner)
“A school culture influences the ways people think, feel, and act.” (Sparks)
“Toxic” School Culture
“Educators believe that student success is based upon students’ level of concern, attentiveness, prior knowledge, and willingness to comply with the demands of the school, and they articulate that belief in overt and covert ways. Educators create policies and procedures and adopt practices that support their belief in the impossibility of universal achievement.”
Peterson(2002), Is Your School Culture toxic or positive? Education World (6)2
“Healthy” School Culture
“Educators have an unwavering belief in the ability of all of their students to achieve success, and they pass that belief on to others in overt and covert ways. Educators create policies and procedures and adopt practices that support their belief in the ability of every student.”
Peterson(2002), Is Your School Culture toxic or positive? Education World (6)2
QUESTION
If a healthy school culture is so important to school improvement efforts, what can a school do to strengthen its culture?
ASSESS
ANALYZEIMPROVE / STRENGTHEN
MONITOR
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
What is your first impression? School entrance, bulletin boards, greetings, driveway, and
office area
School slogan Create one, display it, and use as “branding”
COMMUNITY
Community ownership and responsibility Moral imperative to support student learning
Rituals and traditions How do we honor our school past? Do we need to
do more? What is purpose of our current rituals
How is school perceived? Intentional and consistent system for
communication of positive school news
STUDENTS
Engage students in school Student voice
Policies relating to students Support for ALL students
FACULTY/ STAFF
Recognize and reward faculty/ staff Host events for faculty/ staff Develop relationships with families Professional development Collaborative leadership
PRINCIPAL
Visibility Self motivation Self assessment Core values Change Vision Recognize positive culture
CHARACTERISTICS OF A POSITIVE SCHOOL CULTURE
Staff stability and common goals permeate the school. Curricular and instructional components, as well as order
and discipline are established through consensus. Open and honest communication is encouraged and staff
demonstrates humor and trust. Stakeholders are recognized in authentic school wide
celebrations. The school’s leaders and district leaders provide tangible
support.