18 Questions
What did Stoll and Fink's model focus on in determining school culture?
Current effectiveness
What dimension are school cultures examined on in the model by Stoll and Fink?
Effectiveness and ineffectiveness
What is one of the key aspects of the 'Moving' focus in Stoll and Fink's model?
Boosting pupils' progress and development
Which type of schools are associated with the 'Cruising' focus in Stoll and Fink's model?
Schools in affluent areas
What do schools with 'Cruising' focus possess according to the text?
Powerful norms that inhibit change
According to Stoll and Fink, why are schools either getting better or getting worse?
Due to the quickly changing context
What is the foundation of a school's culture elements according to the text?
The school's mission and vision statements
What do the mission and vision statements of a school reflect according to the text?
The school's desired future and goals
What do the values, beliefs, assumptions, and norms of a school guide and control according to the text?
The behavior of the individuals involved
What does the text state that values are the core of in a school?
What the school considers important
What does the text state that beliefs are in a school context?
Consciously held, cognitive views about truth and reality
What does the text state that values determine in a school?
What philosophies and standards the individuals will assimilate and incorporate into their everyday teaching and learning
Which of the following is NOT one of the ten cultural norms of improving schools according to the text?
Responsibility for failure - we cannot succeed
What do norms encapsulate?
Beliefs, values, and assumptions
What is the importance of understanding a school's norms according to the text?
It assists in acceptance of improvement projects by the school
Which of the following statements about norms is NOT true according to the text?
Norms are explicitly stated in school policies
Which of the following is one of the ten cultural norms of improving schools?
Lifelong learning - learning is for everyone
What does the text suggest about the role of catchphrases in relation to cultural norms?
Catchphrases articulate the core messages of cultural norms
Study Notes
Typology of School Cultures
- Schools with similar contextual characteristics can have different mindsets.
- Typologies of school cultures can be useful as discussion starters for teachers.
- Stoll and Fink's (1996) model examines school cultures based on two dimensions: effectiveness (ineffectiveness) and improving (declining).
Types of School Cultures
- Moving schools:
- Focus on boosting pupil progress and development
- Work together to respond to changing context
- Know where they are going and have the will and skill to get there
- Possess norms of improving schools
- Cruising schools:
- Appear to be effective, often in more affluent areas
- Pupils achieve despite poor teaching quality
- Not preparing pupils for a changing world
- Possess powerful norms that inhibit change
School Mission, Vision, and Values
- The foundation of school culture lies in the mission and vision of the school.
- Underlying the mission and vision statements are the values the school holds.
- Values determine what philosophies and standards individuals will assimilate into their teaching and learning.
- Mission and vision statements mirror what the school wishes to become and accomplish.
School Values, Beliefs, and Norms
- Values are the core of what the school considers important.
- Beliefs are understandings about the world around us.
- Assumptions are a set of beliefs, perceptions, and values that guide behavior.
- Norms are unspoken expectations and rules that staff and students are supposed to follow based on beliefs, values, and assumptions.
Cultural Norms of Improving Schools
- Stoll and Fink (1996) identified ten cultural norms that influence school improvement:
- Shared goals
- Responsibility for success
- Collegiality
- Continuous improvement
- Lifelong learning
- Risk-taking
- Support
- Mutual respect
- Openness
- Celebration and humor
Explore the different idealized types of school cultures through typologies that describe and label schools with similar contextual characteristics but different mindsets. Discover how schools vary in culture despite similar influences and learn about the usefulness of typologies in understanding school environments.
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