Creating a Positive School Culture

Study Notes

Creating a Positive School Culture

Learning Outcomes: By the end of the chapter, students should be able to explain school culture, discuss how it affects learning, and describe ways to contribute to a positive culture.
School Culture Matters: School culture significantly influences student performance. It's created by everyone in the school and community, particularly school leaders. A positive culture supports learning, while a negative one can impede it.
Definition of School Culture: School culture encompasses beliefs, perceptions, relationships, attitudes, and rules that shape how a school operates. It also includes the physical and emotional safety, orderliness, and cultural diversity of the school environment. It's not genetic but a social construct, shaped by interactions and experiences within the school. Recognizing the daily "character" of a school, along with structures and resources, is key.
Culture as a Social Construct: School culture isn't inherited but rather created and shaped by everyone within the school community. This includes staff, students, parents, community members, and the school leadership.
School and Climate Culture: While school culture is broader, encompassing values, beliefs, and traditions, school climate, focused on the attitudes and behaviors of staff, reflects the organizational system of the school. A positive climate fosters collaboration, decision-making, and learning; a negative one hinders these.
Elements of a Positive Culture: Positive school climates foster collegiality (a friendly atmosphere where responsibilities and authority are shared) and experimentation (an environment encouraging risk-taking).
Key Qualities in a Positive School: Students in a positive school environment understand their learning pace and expectations, teachers and leaders foster trust, there's concrete tangible support, and efforts to connect to the knowledge base of the school. Appreciation, recognition, and caring are also essential components. Involvement in decision-making and appreciation of traditions also support positive culture.
Shared Norms: Norms for both teachers and students contribute to a positive culture with open communication, being respectful, and a growth mindset.

Teacher Norms

Teachers should create an inclusive environment where all students feel respected.
Teachers should call students by name and show genuine care for student well-being.
Teachers should foster a positive learning atmosphere with appropriate expectations.
- Calm demeanor, friendly language and patience are critical
- Emphasize clear communication and support
- Understand that re-explaining information is useful within a positive culture
Teachers should work at a reasonable pace. Students need to feel challenged but not overwhelmed.
Teachers should support varied learning styles.
Respectful communication is vital for a positive environment.
Teachers should communicate effectively, adjusting their style and pace as needed to suit all students or learning styles
- Communication that is considerate, respectful, and empathetic is crucial; teachers, students, leaders, and families should feel at ease in sharing their ideas and experiences with each other.

Student Norms

Students should demonstrate a growth mindset; understand that mistakes are part of the learning process.
Students should be responsible in class, calling peers and teachers by name, and showing respect.
Students should communicate well by understanding classroom expectations such cooperation and actively listening.
Students should be on time and participate in all class activities.
Students should encourage each other and avoid disruptive behavior.