Chapter 10: Creating a Positive School Culture

The Meaning of School Culture

 It refers to the beliefs, perceptions, relationships, attitudes and written and
unwritten rules that shape and influence every aspect of how a school functions.
 It consists of norms and shared experiences that evolve over the school’s history
(Spacey).
 School culture is reinforced by norms, expectations and traditions, including
everything from dress codes, to discipline systems, and to celebrations of
achievements.

Culture as a Social Construct

 School culture is something that we do not inherit or pass on through the genes.
Rather, it is something that we create or shape.

School Climate and School Culture

 School climate is more relational; it is illustrated by the attitudes and behaviors of
the school staff and is focused on the style of the school’s organizational system.
 School culture is a deeper level of reflection of shared values, beliefs, and
traditions between staff members.

The Role of School Culture in Learning

 A positive school culture fosters improvement, collaborative decision making,
professional development, and staff and student learning.

Elements of School Culture

1. Collegiality
2. Experimentation
3. High Expectations
4. Trust and Confidence
5. Tangible Support
6. Reaching out to the knowledge base
7. Collegiality
8. Experimentation
9. High Expectations
10. Trust and Confidence
 11. Tangible Support
12. Reaching out to the knowledge base
Shared Norms: Teacher and Student Norms
Teacher Norms
 Teach in different ways
 Call students by their names
 Care about students feelings
 Have a good attitude
 Help students understand
 Attend school majority of the time
 Respectful
 Have a growth mindset
Student Norms
 Have a growth mindset
 Call classmates by their
names
 Responsible of their work
 They Listen
 Attend school majority of the
time
 A good team layer