The Meaning of School Culture

The Meaning of School Culture
School culture is one of the most complex and important concepts in education
(Schein, 1985). It generally refers to the beliefs, perceptions, relationships, attitudes
and written and unwritten rules that shape and influence every aspect of how a
school functions.
According to Spacey, school culture consists of the norms and shared experiences
that evolve over school's history.
Scott and Marzano (2014) state that "school culture is reinforced by norms,
expectations and traditions, including everything from dress codes to discipline
systems to celebrations of achievement.
Culture as a Social Construct

Culture is a social construct not a genetic construct. This means that school culture
is, therefore, something that we do not inherit or pass on through the genes.
Rather, it is something that we create and shape.
It is shaped by everything that all people in school see, hear, feel and interact with.
It is a creation of the school head, teachers, parents, non-teaching staff students
and community. Sean Slade (2014) elaborates:
School Climate and School Culture

How does school climate differ from culture? These terms are frequently used
interchangeably but 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 climate refers to the school's effects on students, including teaching
practices, diversity and the relationships among administrators, teachers, parents
and students.
School culture is a deeper level of reflection of shared values, beliefs, and traditions
between staff members. School culture refers to the way teachers and other staff
members work together and the set of beliefs, values and assumptions they share.
The Role of School Culture in Learning

School culture matters. Research confirms the central role of culture to school
success. School culture can be positive or negative or toxic. A positive school
culture fosters improvement, collaborative decision making, professional
development and staff and student learning.
Elements of a Positive Culture
As given in the Activity phase of this Lesson a positive school climate is
characterized by the following:
1. Collegiality - The school atmosphere is friendly. You work it by atmosphere
where responsibility and authority are shared by everyone. You can be
yourself. You have not to put your best forward to impress others.
2. Experimentation - The environment encourages experimentation, viewing
mistakes as valuable learning opportunities rather than failures, fostering
growth without fear of punishment.
3. High Expectations - Setting high expectations is crucial for achieving high
levels of success. However, challenges arise as expectations can be subtle
and hard to change. Teachers may unknowingly hold lower expectations for
some students, and even if they become aware, altering these biases can be
difficult. What truly impacts student achievement is how teachers’ behaviors
reflect their expectations. Without changes in behavior, shifts in attitude
alone may not effectively influence student outcomes.
4. Trust and Confidence - Effective relationships among students, teachers,
school heads, and parents are based on trust and confidence. Honest and
open communication, crucial for a supportive school environment, is only
possible when individuals feel secure and accepted.
5. Tangible support - Everyone in the school community gets concrete support
for the good that they do. Support comes in not just in words but in action.
School head sees to it that LCDs in the classrooms are functioning.
6. Reaching out to the knowledge base - Teachers care to grow professionally to
update themselves on content knowledge and pedagogy, the first domain in
the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers.
7. Appreciation and Recognition - Words of appreciation and recognition
enhance the classroom climate. Teachers are encouraged to give sincere
praise, as it fosters a positive environment. Often, there is a tendency to
focus on negatives while overlooking the positives, so it’s important to
actively acknowledge and appreciate the good in others.
8. Caring, Celebration, Humor - Students are more receptive to learning when
they feel cared for. Teachers should provide specific, positive feedback, as
generic praise is less effective. A proactive, praise-focused approach helps
students, particularly those struggling, and fosters a supportive learning
environment.
9. Involvement in decision making - Involving others who are concerned with
decisions to be made enhances sense of ownership. They also feel important.
10.Protection of What Is Important - Schools should protect and uphold their core
values and traditions. For example, policies like "no soft drinks, no chocolate"
and CLAYGO reflect the school's commitment to nutrition, health, and
cleanliness.
11.Traditions - A school should implement a culture-based program that
emphasizes shared values, beliefs, and behaviors to strengthen community.
A positive school culture is defined not just by the absence of negative issues
but by the presence of norms and values that unify the school community
and drive collective effort toward a common goal.
12.Honest and Open Communication - The school environment encourages
everyone to speak freely without fear of ostracism. Discussions are framed
with the principle of "agree to disagree," fostering an atmosphere where
open and honest communication is valued.
Shared Norms: Teacher and Student Norms
According to Boss and Larmer (2018), shared norms for both teachers and students
are essential for creating a positive school culture. These norms help foster a fair
and engaging learning environment. Weekly checks on these norms ensure that
both teachers and students adhere to practices that support a positive and
productive school culture.

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The Meaning of School Culture

Culture as a Social Construct

School Climate and School Culture

The Role of School Culture in Learning

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