Transforming School Culture

By Zarina Ahmad

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Outcomes for Today!• You will understand how

school culture operates from a political, sociological and belief perspective

• You will learn some practical strategies to manipulate school culture to intentionally create a positive atmosphere that maximizes student learning

• You will identify and effectively diagnose a school culture condition that needs to be transformed at your site and design a strategic plan of action.

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All About Me• My background

• I was born and raised in Oakland • I attended OUSD schools K-12th grades

• My experience• I’ve been an educator for 28 years.• I began teaching in small schools that focused

on African centered education • I joined OUSD in 1993 and taught for 14

years before becoming an administrator in 2007 with New Leaders, Cohort 7

• My resident year was at Acorn-Woodland • This is my 5th year as principal at Piedmont

Avenue Elementary 3

My Family

• My husband• Mubarak

• My children• 1 Daughter• 3 Sons

• All children attended or still attending OUSD schools

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Vital Signs for Reform

• U.S. Census Bureau reports in 2011 that 43% of African American youth live in homes that have incomes below the national poverty line.

• 65% of African American children live in homes headed by single parents

• Of the over two million incarcerated Americans, African American males account for 900,000 of the inmates

• 84% of these inmates are functionally illiterate. 5

More Vital Signs

• The Latino population in the U.S. has grown rapidly and they are now facing many of the issues that have plagued African Americans

• Poverty, and health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and mental health.

• Regardless of race, students from poor families experience the costs of a poor education

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Identified Links Between High School Graduation and

the Quality of Life• African American and Latino students

graduate from high school at a rate slightly above 50%

• Adults without a high school diploma are twice as likely to be unemployed

• The life expectance of high school dropouts is 9.2 years less graduates

• The average 65 year old graduate is in better health than 45 year old dropout out7

In the words of the Apollo 13 spacecraft:

“Houston, we have a problem!”

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Why Are Our Kids Dropping Out?

• Lack of a quality education foundation in the early years-failure in High School

• Lack of interest• Violence• Family responsibilities• Becoming a parent• Pushed Out 9

Need for Positive School Culture and

Climate• We have to make

school a place where students want to be

• It begins with the adults taking an honest look at our beliefs, practices, and behaviors

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Defining School Culture

• “School culture is the set of norms, values and beliefs, rituals and ceremonies, symbols and stories that make up the ‘persona’ of the school.”

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Positive School Culture

Teachers’ Belief Relationships

• Teachers work together to support student and teacher growth

• Share best practices• Students and families feel

supported by teachers and the school

• Positive attitudes

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• All children can learn• All children will learn

because of what we do.• This belief is passed on

to others in overt and covert ways

Toxic

Teacher Complaints

• These kids don’t eat breakfast

• The parent is in jail• These kids don’t do their

homework• No one in the home can

read • These kids are too far

behind

Relationships

• Conflicts• Staff does not believe in

the students ability to learn

• Negative attitudes• No desire to change or

make improvements

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My School

• SF Examiner ran story due to a bullying incident where a student suffered a skull fracture

• Labeled the most violent school in OUSD due to high number of suspensions for violent behavior

• Hurt feelings • Mediocre Teachers• No trust• No 5th Grade promotion

ceremony• Dark• Trash• Underperforming• African Americans

targets not met14

Transforming My School

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Three Big Rocks: Year One

1. Efficacy: Professional Development on Beliefs!

Motto:

Believe You Can! Work Hard! Get SMART!

The Future is NOW!

2. College Going Culture: All Classrooms named after colleges and universities with the belief that are students will get there.

3. Celebrations: Weekly Student Summits, Awards for academic growth, Core Values, Charms, Shining Stars, CARES, Principal Awards

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Piedmont Avenue Student Behavior

Management Handbook

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Smaller Rocks

• Began Professional Learning Communities-Cycle of Inquiry, Best Practices

• Established a Teacher Leadership Team• Exposed teachers to other schools that

were getting results (Dropping seeds for academic changes for year two)

• Kept an open door, visible, smiling, participate

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Traits of Leadership Character to Build Trust

• Do not make promises that cannot be kept.

• Back your people when it counts

• Take responsibility and be publicly self-reflective when times are tough

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Year Two: Academics

• Introduced and adopted Si Swun Math for all grade levels. Provided training and support.

• Introduced and adopted “Read, THINK, Apply”, reading comprehension program for all grade levels. Provided training and support.

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Year Three

• Change Prep from Art and Dance to Science/Art

• District Support

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• Growth

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0

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30

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60

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2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Percentage

Math ELA Science

Piedmont AvenueProficient and Advanced

• Math 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 51% 67% 61% 73% (+12%)

• ELA 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 44% 49% 49% 55% (+6%)

• API 744 795 (+51) 780 817!

Living in DialogueDyad Protocol

• Describe a school culture dilemma at your site and the possible root causes

•

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Leadership Matters• Lead teachers in the process of learning. Expose them

to knowledge that enlightens their practice and gives them a new context to believe in student growth.

• Familiarize yourself with the history of the school and community, and articulate a vision that will inspire others to think in new ways.

• Continue to improve your skills and credentials. Nothing says competence like a person who exhibits the quality of lifelong learning.

• Be the change you want to see.• Belief you can do it!

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YOU CAN Transform School Culture!

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