Transforming School

Culture
Culture is the most powerful
source of leverage for bringing
about change in a school – or any
organization, for that matter.

Thomas J. Sergiovanni
 School Culture
School culture is norms developed over
time based on shared attitudes, values,
beliefs, expectations, relationships, and
traditions of a particular school that cause it
to function or react as it does.
 School Culture
School Culture is often majority
driven (staff), intangible, hard to
describe, and difficult to positively
impact, or change in a systemic way.
The attitudes, beliefs, and values may
often be “hidden” to those new to or
outside of the school community.
School Climate is the communication of its
norms, beliefs, and values through various
behaviors and interactions and their effect on
others, with the primary focus being on
students.
School Climate is driven by and reflected in
the daily interactions of staff, administration,
students, support staff, and the outside
community.
Climate is expressed in tangible ways, is more
leadership driven, and responds more quickly to
change.

Climate is demonstrated through collegiality,

communication, decision-making, trust,
expectations, ideology, leadership, recognition,
celebration, support, and experimentation.
Climate should directly reflect the school’s
mission statement through its focus and actions.
 School Culture is over a period of time…the
history

Climate is now, it’s the perceptions/emotions

being evoked
ACCIDENTAL vs INTENTIONAL
CULTURE
Intentional Culture
Accidental Culture

1. Activities are based on 1. Activities are research-based.

assumptions.
2. Academic goals deteriorates 2. Academic goals are credible.
to a wish list. The focus is on results.

3. Mission and goals are 3. Mission and goals are used as

ignored. a blue print for school
improvement.
4. Decisions are dictated and 4. Broad collaboration: decisions
developed by few. are widely shared
ACCIDENTAL vs INTENTIONAL
CULTURE
Intentional Culture
Accidental Culture

1. Articulated Beliefs 1. Beliefs are tied to actions and

behaviors.
2. Random Values 2. Values tied to vision and
mission

3. Connections are random 3. Connections are constantly

sought

4. Diversity is acknowledge 4. Diversity is valued

Negativity in a school culture or climate is
usually manifested in the attitudes and
actions of school staff through:

No or low No ownership
expectations Little or no sense
Little or no of community
communication Disrespect/hostility
among stakeholders widespread
Resistance to Low morale and
change distrust
Examples of Negativity through Dysfunctional
Norms
Dread coming to Judgmental/Critical of
school other’s motivation
Criticize those Fear reprisal
who are Distrust colleagues or
innovative administration
Politics drive
decision-making
Do just enough to
get by
A Toxic School Culture Is full of
Taters

Dictators

Commentators

Agitators

Spectators
Positive School Culture/Climate
Mission is about student and teacher learning

Rich sense of history and purpose

Core values of collegiality, performance, and

improvement centered around quality, achievement, and
learning for ALL students

Positive and Proactive Approaches for staff and

students
Positive School Culture/Climate
Stories that celebrate successes and recognize
heroines and heroes

Physical Environment reflects pride and joy

Widespread sense of respect and nurturing

 Why Is School Culture
Important?

What research tells us:

“Positive learning can only take place in a positive culture. A

healthy school culture will affect more student and teacher
success than any other reform or school improvement effort
currently being employed.”

-Gary Phillips
TRANSFORMING SCHOOL
CULTURE
If you intend to introduce a change that is
incompatible with the organization’s
culture, you have only three choices:
modify the change to be more in line with
the existing culture, alter the culture to be
more in line with the proposed change, or
prepare to fail.
David Salisbury & Daryl Conner, 1994
It’s not so much that we’re afraid of
change, or so in love with the old ways,
but it’s that place in between … it’s
like being in between trapezes
- Marilyn Ferguson
Changing The School Culture

Reculturing
versus
Restructuring
STRUCTURE VS. CULTURE
STRUCTURE CULTURE

Day-To-Day Long-Term
Policies & Beliefs,
Procedures Expectations,
School Rules and Habits
 TO CHANGE YOUR
SCHOOL’S CULTURE
Promote your mission, vision, values
and goals.
Bring your staff together to find best
practices.
Sustain the culture through
communication.
Persist.
Confront problems.
 What Do We Know About Effective Culture?
Twelve Norms of School Culture Where People and
Programs Improve
Collegiality Appreciation and recognition

Experimentation Caring, celebration, humor

High expectations Involvement in decision making

Trust and confidence Protection of what’s important

Tangible support Traditions

Reaching out to the knowledge Honest, open communication

bases
“Good Seeds Grow in Strong Cultures” by Saphier and King
 A Final Thought
“Self-renewing school cultures are collaborative
places where adults care about one another,
share common goals and values, and have the
skills and knowledge to plan together, solve
problems together, and fight passionately but
gracefully for ideas to improve instruction.”
-Robert Garmston & Bruce Wellman
It’s difficult to change school
culture,
but remain optimistic
WE ARE ALL IN THIS BOAT
TOGETHER
 A MOMENT OF CLARITY

I learned that …

I realized that …

I was pleased that …

I was not aware that…