Changing School Cultures: From Definition to Transformation

The concept of culture within schools has become a major topic of discussion and research among academic circles in the United States. The rising popularity of this topic has been rooted in scientific data, as the International Journal of Education reports a link between “improved and positive culture to better student performances”. 

However, defining culture and implementing cultural changes are both difficult tasks. This article will attempt to define school culture, discuss outcomes linked to school culture, and discuss methods, in general, that can be implemented to improve school culture.

Acknowledging the Historical Context of Education

Defining school culture is complex. First, one must look at the historical goals of schools and their education. Education has traditionally been utilized as a form of control and assimilation. Controlling standards, expectations, and even which ethnic group receive this education, has led to decades of educational inequalities, as Antonia Darder points out.

This continues throughout history as those in power have distributed funding and resources to schools of their preference. According to the Journal of Education and Learning, the lack of equitable school systems that fail to support students leads to poor academic achievements, greater high school dropout rates, and higher crime rates in the given communities, among a variety of other societal issues.

Therefore, to define culture within the school system – and to aspire for a positive change – we must look at a variety of stakeholders; including the students, their families, teachers and administrators, and support staff.

Why is Defining School Culture Important?

Michael Fullan defines school culture as the guiding beliefs and values evident in the operation of a school. The phrase “school culture” is often used to incorporate the attitudes, values, and expected behaviors that directly influence how the school operates.

Research indicates a positive correlation between the following aspects of culture and student success:
– Cultures that have high standards,
– Clear expectations of both staff and students,
– A well-defined school structure with clear goals,
– Respect for multicultural students and families, and
– Community involvement within multiple aspects of the school.

While defining school culture is difficult, it can be even more difficult to successfully implement positive culture changes. (This is partly due to the difficult nature of defining culture, but also, the ability to determine.) It can be challenging to determine how culture plays a role in the day-to-day activities of students.

Steps Towards Transforming School Culture

Step 1: Foster Inclusion with Cultural Sensitivity Training

According to a study reported in the Intercultural Education Journal, inclusion, instead of exclusion, inside the classroom has a positive effect on student performance. Inclusion increases confidence when students individuality (culture especially) is openly recognized and discussed within the classroom. (Learn more of the study here.)

Administrators can utilize teacher training to reinforce the ideas of a positive school culture. The training can cover a variety of topics, including cultural sensitivity, inclusion within the classroom, and the importance of consistency within each classroom.

Teachers often want to see the “why” behind what they are being asked to do. So, using the most up-to-date research while training teachers is important. Administrators should also encourage informal conversations during training sessions where honesty is encouraged and never punished.

The American Journal of Education reported research demonstrates that schools that have input from all staff members are more successful in implementing cultural changes than those that are not inclusive of all staff’ voices and opinions.

It is the job of the administrators to model behavior they wish to see from staff. Creating a culture of inclusivity within the staff often will trickle down and have a positive effect inside the classroom.

Step 2: Hire Teachers Who Are Wiling to Embrace Change

The next step towards improving school culture is for administrators to consider the teachers they hire. Hiring teachers who are passionate about education, motivated to learn and grow, and have a good set of practical skills, is linked with higher student success. 

As we know there is a current teacher shortage in the United States, which makes it difficult for administrators to be selective. However, it can be argued that hiring teachers who are new but coachable and have a positive attitude towards being mentored is better than hiring experienced teachers who might resist change.

Step 3: Set High Expectations for Both Teachers and Students

Another step that can improve school culture is teacher accountability. Holding teachers to high standards, including requiring them to follow all culture-related processes, will help improve culture throughout the school. Students require consistency, and as they move from classroom to classroom, if different teachers have differing expectations, this leads to both confusion and, oftentimes, behavioral issues. Chaotic classrooms are difficult to educate in.

Creating a culture where student expectations are communicated in every classroom (because all the teachers are being held to the same standard as well) creates a clear message of goals throughout the school. For example, this can be as simple as the rule “respect your peers”, and within every classroom there is an expectation to have a respectful environment. While students are working and while teachers are instructing, an overarching theme is always respect, in all that happens. This one single rule, if reinforced properly in all classrooms, can have a profound effect on the culture within the school.

Step 4: Choose Language that Reinforces the School Culture

Another step that can improve school culture is to spread the culture in visible ways throughout the school. The example previously discussed about “respect your peers” could be used here as well. If every classroom and hallway had this phrase posted, with examples of what respecting your peers looked like, this could easily become an overarching cultural theme. This along with continuous language of reinforcement from staff, could improve school culture through clearly communicating the concept of respect. The school can utilize this concept of respect to create new and unique traditions, another step in creating a positive school culture. Perhaps monthly awards can be given to students who show acts of respect, with a final annual award accompanying some sort of school-wide party. This creates a positive incentive that relates directly to the concept of respect. Of course, this example can be used with whatever theme or vision the administration and staff decide upon. The most important concept here is that consistency is key, and all staff must remain vigilant in promoting the vision for a positive cultural change to take place.

Step 5: Encourage Parent Engagement

A final step in creating a positive school culture would be encouraging engagement by all stakeholders. This includes not only staff but the community as well. Research shows that schools that effectively communicate and involve parents, and the community at large, are more successful at cultural changes.

The school must be actively involved with the community, with strong Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) as well as constant and clear communication with the community, families especially. It is the school’s job to communicate both overarching themes for the school year as well as what is happening on a day-to-day basis. 

The Takeaway

Defining school culture is challenging because it is an abstract and complex concept. A definition of “the attitudes, values, and expected behaviors that directly influence how the school operates” for school culture is an excellent place for schools to start. Once defined, schools must train their staff and communities on the values they wish the students to adhere to. High standards for teaching staff and clear communication with staff and the community improve school culture and set students on a path to success.

References

1. Bayar, Adem, and Hürriyet Alkan Karaduman. “The Effects of School Culture on Students’ Academic Achievements.” Shanlax International Journal of Education, vol. 9, no. 3, 2021, pp. 99-109.

2. Darder, A. (2012). The problem with traditional American pedagogy and practice. In Culture and power in the classroom: Educational foundations for the schooling of bicultural student (pp. 1-23). Boulder, Colorado: Paradigm Publishers.

3. Arbelo Marrero, F. (2016). Barriers to school success for Latino students. Journal of Education and Learning, 5(2), 180–186.

4. Fullan, M., (2007) The new meaning of educational change. Routledge, New York.

5. Redding, S., Corbett, J., & Center on School Turnaround. (2018). Shifting school Culture to Spark Rapid Improvement: A quick start guide for principals and their teams. In Center on School Turnaround. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED592993.pdf

6. Makarova, E. & Birman, D. (2015). Cultural transition and academic achievement of students from ethnic minority backgrounds: A content analysis of empirical research on acculturation. Educational Research., 57(3), 305–330.

7. Martin, D. (2014). Good education for all? Student race and identity development in the multicultural classroom. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 39, 110–123.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2013.10.005

8. Kim, K. R., & Seo, E. H. (2018). The relationship between teacher efficacy and students’ academic achievement: A meta-analysis. Social Behavior and Personality an International Journal, 46(4), 529–540. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.6554

9. Banerjee, N., Stearns, E., Moller, S., & Mickelson, R. A. (2017). Teacher Job satisfaction and Student Achievement: The roles of teacher professional community and teacher collaboration in schools. American Journal of Education, 123(2), 203–241. https://doi.org/10.1086/689932