Chapter 10- Creating a Positive School Culture Culture as a Social Construct

Abstraction- Let’s Conceptualize Culture is a social construct not a genetic

construct. This means that school culture is, therefore,
Eleven (11) vignettes in the first part of this
something that we do not inherit or pass on through the
chapter give a concrete picture of a positive school culture.
genes. Rather, it is something that we create and shape. It
Vignette Norm of school culture illustrated is shaped by everything that all people in school see, hear,
1 High expectation feel, and interact with. It is a creation of the school head,
2 Honest and open communication teachers, parents, non-teaching staff students and
3 Tangible support; caring, celebration, community. Sean Slade (2014) elaborates:
humor
Within a couple of minutes of walking into a
4 Involvement in decision making;
protection of what is important school or a classroom, you can tell, define almost taste the
5 Trust and confidence traditions culture that permeates that space. Is it an open, sharing
6a Collegiality; honest, open environment? Or is it a rigid discipline- defined playing
communication field? It is safe and welcoming, or intimidating and
6b Collegiality; experimentation; reaching confronting? Does it welcome all voices, or does it make
out to the knowledge bases, you want to shrink? Is it waiting for instruction and
appreciation, recognition leadership or is it self-directed with a common purpose?
7 Collegiality; traditions
8 Tangible support; protection of what is School Climate and school Culture
important; tradition How does school climate differ from culture?
10 Reaching out to the knowledge base These terms are frequently used interchangeably but
11 Appreciation and recognition school climate is more relational; it is illustrated by the
12 Protection of what is important
attitudes and behaviors of the school staff and is focused on
the style of the school’s organizational system. School
Item # 9 does not illustrate positive culture, specifically climate refers to the school’s effects on students, including
honest and open communication. teaching practices, diversity and the relationships among
administrators, teachers, parents and students. School
After having read the vignettes, by this time you have an climate is driven by and reflected in daily interactions of
idea on what school culture is. All of the vignettes are staff, administration, faculty, students support staff and the
manifestations of school culture. outside community.
The Meaning of School Culture School culture is a deeper level of reflection of
School Culture is one of the most complex and shared values, beliefs, and traditions between staff
important concepts in education (Schein, 1985). It generally members. School culture refers to the way teachers and
refers to the beliefs, perceptions, relationships, attitudes other staff members work together and the set of beliefs,
and written and unwritten rules that shape and influence values and assumptions they shared. School culture is a
every aspect of how a school function. However, the term broader term and so is inclusive of school climate.
also encompasses more concrete issues such as the The Role of School Culture in Learning
physical and emotional safety of students, the orderliness
of classrooms and public spaces or degree to which a school School culture matters. Research confirms the
embraces racial, ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity. central role of culture to school success. School culture can
be positive or negative or toxic. A positive school culture
According to Spacey Nov. 23, 2017, school culture fosters improvements, collaborative decision making,
consists of the norms and shared experiences that evolve professional development and staff and student learning. A
over school’s history. In fact, Scott and Marzano (2014) negative culture fosters the opposite.
state that “school culture is reenforced by norms,
expectations and traditions, including everything from dress Elements of a Positive Culture
codes to discipline systems to celebrations of achievement.
As given in the Activity phase of this Lesson a
Therefore, it may be described as the character of a school
positive school climate is characterized by the following:
that gives a school quality beyond its structures, resources
and practices. They are “built through the everyday 1. Collegiality- the school atmosphere is friendly. You work in
business of school life. It is the way business is handled that an atmosphere where responsibility and authority are
both forms and reflects the culture”. shared by everyone. You can be yourself. You have not to
put your best forward to impress others. The school head
does not throw his/her weight. He/she does not make
his/her authority felt by his/her colleagues.
2. Experimentation- the atmosphere encourages comments such as “Good job” don’t really help.
experimentation and so will welcome mistakes as part of Complimenting a specific behavior (‘Thanks for showing
the learning process. No student, no teacher gets punished respect to our visiting guest”), on the other hand, reinforces
for a mistake. Mistakes are not intended. They give a lot that particular behavior.
lesson. Referring to his 10,000 failed attempts then he was 9. Involvement in decision making- involving others who are
experimenting in the light bulb, Edison said: I have not concerned with decisions to be made enhances sense of
failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”. ownership. They also feel important.
3. High expectations- it has been said one’s level of 10. Protection of what is important- what schools consider
achievement is always lower than one’s level that important must form part of their tradition and so must be
aspiration. So set high expectations for high achievement. protected by all means. In the Activity above, mention was
Two problems arise here, Robert J. Marzano warn us: made on School Canteen Policies that include “no soft
First, expectations are subtle and difficult to drinks, no chocolate etc.” and CLAYGO because the school
change. Teachers may be unaware that they have low considers nutrition and health and cleanliness as important.
expectations for some students; even when they become 11. Traditions- A school must have an intentional culture-based
aware, they may have difficulty changing their expectations program on shared values, beliefs, and behaviors. This
because their beliefs and biases have developed over the strengthens sense of community.
years. 12. Honest and open communication- No one gets ostracized
Second, what actually communicates expectations for speaking up his mind. The atmosphere is such that
to students is teacher behavior. If teachers consciously work everyone is encouraged to speak his mind without fear of
to change their biases but don’t change their behavior being ostracized. The agreement at every discussion is
toward those students from whom they have tended to “agree to disagree.”
expect less, their change of attitude will have little effect on
student achievement.
Shared Norms: Teacher and Student Norms
4. Trust and confidence- students, teachers, school heads and
parents relate well and work well when relationships are Shared norms for both teachers and students
solidly built on trust and confidence. In fact, honest and contribute to a positive school culture. Boss and Larmer
open communication (# 12 in this list) is possible only when (2018) share teacher norm and student norms to contribute
there is trust and confidence in each other in the school to a fair and an engaging learning environment, a
community. I can share my inner thoughts only when I am characteristic of a positive school culture. They check on
confident that I do not get ostracized when I do. the following norms each week.
5. Tangible support- everyone in the school community gets
Teacher Norms Student Norms
concrete support for the good that they do. Support comes
1. Teach in different ways 1. Have a growth mindset
in not just in words but in action. School head sees to it that
2. Call students by their a. Believe you can improve
LCDs in the classrooms are functioning. names
6. Reaching out to the knowledge base- teachers care to 3. Care about student’s b. Fail forward
grow professionally to update themselves on content feelings c. Keep trying
knowledge and pedagogy, the first domain in the Philippine a. Understand their situation
d. Speak positively about your
Professional Standards for Teachers. abilities to learn
7. Appreciation and recognition- certainly words of 4. Have a good attitude 2. Call classmates by their
appreciation and recognition make classroom climate a. Stay calm names
highly favorable. A reminder to teachers. “ you are not b. Use kind words 3. Be responsible for your
made less when you praise others. Instead, you become c. Have patience work
magnanimous. So don’t be stingy with your sincere praise. d. Greet students and say
a. Have materials ready
The problem sometimes is our eyes are so quick to see the good bye b. Advocate for yourself
c. Be a professional
negative and so we despise them immediately but our eyes
d. Meet deadlines
are blinded to the good and so we overlook them and fail to
e. Participate
appreciate.
Be on time to class
8. Caring, celebration, humor- kids don’t care what you know 5.Help students 4. Listen
until they know that you care. They don’t listen to teacher understand a. to the teacher
when teacher doesn’t care. It may be good to remind a. work at a reasonable b. to your classmates
teachers that many of students, especially those who pace c. to guests
struggle, don’t receive nearly enough positive feedback in b. explain clearly d. to the directions
the classroom or in their personal lives. c. support different
learning styles
When kids are taught with a proactive, praise-heavy d. expect the best
approach, they tend to do better, “says Erin Green of Boys e. re – explain if necessary
Town. But be specific. Generic, overly generalized 6.Attend school the 5. Attend school the
 majority of the time majority of the time
7. Be respectful 6. Be a good team player
a. Give everyone what a. Provide a good team
they need player
b. use proper language b. stay calm
c. Allow space if needed c. Encourage others
d. Use supportive words d. stat on topic
when explaining e. Be considerate
e. call by your name f. Use proper language
g. communicate clearly to
students a teachers
8. Have a growth mindset

Learning Task

MULTIPLE CHOICE:

1. Which is TRUE of school culture?

a. Passed on like a hereditary trait
b. Created by the school head and other stakeholders
c. Has insignificant effect on student performance
d. Cannot be altered

2. Which contributes to a positive school culture?

a. Growth mins set
b. Low expectations
c. Authoritarian leadership
d. Exclusivity

3. Which form part of school culture?

I. Structure
II. Resources
III. Practices
IV. School Climate

a. I and II c. II and III

b. I, II and III d. I, II, III and IV
4. School head respects academic time so she does not just
call on teachers during class hours. Which element of
positive school culture is illustrated?
a. Tradition
b. Collegiality
c. Protection of what is important
d. High expectation

5. Complete the analogy. Positive culture: Growth mindset ,

Toxic culture: _________
a. Inclusivity
b. Exclusivity
c. Resignation to failure
d. Team work