Transforming School Culture: Building Powerful Learning Environments Anthony S. Muhammad, Ph.D.
Transforming School Culture
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Transcript of Transforming School Culture
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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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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