Michael Kennedy

EDAD 510
22 June 2014
Culture & Climate Assessment
In looking at the culture and climate of the school campus at which I teach, there are multiple
areas that can be improved. Using the self-assessment worksheet for the culture and climate of
my school campus, certain areas can be identified as strengths, while others can be identified as
weaknesses. From this analysis, a plan of action can be made on how to improve the culture of
my school.
There are many areas that can be seen as strengths and positives within my school. First
of all, I am confident that our staff believes that all students have the ability to learn, regardless
of their background. Being an alternative campus, this attitude is vital to the success of our
students. I also think that all staff believe theyre making a positive impact on the students. When
working with at-risk students, it can be difficult for staff to see the positive impact they make on
the lives of their students, but I think this is something that staff members believe they are doing
well. Finally, the staff does a great job of collaborating to better meet the needs of students. In an
alternative environment, it is important that people are willing to work together for the good of
the school.
Although there are many strengths to the culture and climate of our school, there are also
some areas that can be improved. According to the self-assessment, there are a few areas of
weakness that could be improved to enhance the culture and climate of our building. First of all,
there is a lack of high standards for students academic achievement. I believe the reason for this
is because the number one goal of our alternative programs is to assist students in earning credit
for their classes. I believe that standards of academic achievement are sometimes lowered to help

students to earn those credits. I do believe that staff members work to set high expectations for
their students, but ultimately give way to assisting students in attaining course credits.
Another area that I think is a weakness of my building is parent involvement. I think that
our alternative programs recognize that parent involvement can be a challenge, but there is a lack
of parent recognition to the educational process altogether. Parents do not recognize the time and
effort their student puts forth in the classroom, and do not see how these effort correlate to their
academic achievement.
To improve these two weaknesses in the culture and climate of our school, there are a few
things that we can do. Both of these concerns center on recognizing student achievement.
Whether the teachers are recognizing the hard work of their students by setting high standards, or
parents are recognizing the work their student is accomplishing, student achievement must be
recognized. I believe that one solution to this is having students create portfolios of their
learning. By having the students create portfolios, they take greater ownership of their learning.
This also mitigates the subjectivity that may exist in the staff setting expectations for students. I
also think that moving towards a standards-based grading approach will help to keep high
expectations. If the students are creating a portfolio, and they are showing how they have met
each standard, the achievement expectations for all students is set at a very high level.
To improve the parent understanding of how their student is being assessed, parents will
be given more opportunities to witness and be a part of their students learning. Although parentteacher conferences are a routine part of the school year, parents may or may not attend to see the
progress of their student. I propose that parents are invited to attend celebrations. At the end of
a major unit of study, the teacher or program will plan a celebration that displays and honors

the learning that occurred for the students in the program. Parents would be invited to these
celebrations, giving them an opportunity to see the learning and growth of their student.
I think that the attitudes of the staff in our school make for a decent culture and climate,
especially given that we work in an alternative setting with at-risk students. I think the areas in
need of improvement are simply about how we display the work that goes on in our building. If
students are creating portfolios, and teachers are setting up celebrations to show off the work
of the students, this good work becomes evident. Also, when student work is in plain view, the
teacher must have high expectations for their students. These solutions can go far to improve the
culture and climate of our school building.