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

IMPORTANT TO NOTE EVERY SCHOOL HAS A CULTURE EVERY SCHOOL CAN IMPROVE ITS CULTURE

QUESTION If a healthy school culture is so important to school improvement efforts, what can a school do to strengthen its culture? ASSESS ANALYZE IMPROVE / STRENGTHEN MONITOR

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

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.

FOCUS ON LEARNING

GETTING THE CULTURE RIGHT… PEOPLE SHOULD ALWAYS PRECEDE “PROGRAMS” IN EFFORTS TO RAISE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT