Enhancing a High-Performing School Culture and Climate: New Insights for Improving Schools

(Hardback)

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Description

The purpose of our book is to share with our readers some insights we have acquired over the years in our administrative experience implementing change and reforms. Two areas that are critical for any reform to succeed are the way communications and conflicts are handled. We have included a chapter on interpersonal communications that describes five basic communication skills. We have also included a chapter on conflict with provides a number of insights on how to handle conflicts and how to avoid conflicts. Successfully dealing with communications and conflict are essential for improving levels of openness and trust. Crucial for school culture and climate are low levels of openness and trust. There is little agreement amongst faculty that they are open and trusting with each other. This creates a guarded environment where energy is being spent in a protective mode. Motivation that should go towards improving instruction is diverted to make sure teachers stay out of trouble. Improving levels of openness and trust is a thread throughout the book, as is the concept of servant leadership. If administrators and teachers are perceived as servants as opposed to self-serving, an improvement in levels of openness and trust will result. The authors describe a number of activities for principals so they can practice the servant leadership style that is essential in order to enhance a schools culture and climate. One of the activities addresses bullying behavior. Bullying behavior must be addressed if there is to be a positive school culture and climate.

Reviews

The authors provide effective strategies on how to build a focused school culture and a positive climate that enhances student outcomes. -- Beverly J. Irby, professor and associate dean, Academic Affairs, Marilyn Kent Byrne Endowed Chair for Student Success, Texas A&M University
Enhancing a Schools Culture and Climate: New Insights for Improving Schools has a different spin on these well-known topics. The authors crafted a book that should be on every educators bookshelf. The book has wonderful concepts with examples on how schools can shape and improve the climate and culture to improve school. Most of the ideas are neither expensive nor difficult to implement at the school level. They are mostly common sense concepts that the new or experienced school and district administrator can do. The book is easy to read and very practical. A must read for school and district educational leaders. -- Bill Delbrugge, senior education officer, Esol Education, former superintendent of schools, Flagler County, Florida
The authors provide some valuable insights in how to reduce resistance to school reform. They provide numerous activities and processes to assist with improving school climate and culture. This book complements the reform efforts of their earlier book on creating a high performing school culture and climate. It is a must read, not only for board and school administrators and teachers, but professors of education as well. -- Jonathan Munro, MANZAPPL, Clinical Head, Counselling & Psychological Support Services; Adjunct Prof. Fellow, School of Health & Human Sciences, Southern Cross University
Enhancing school culture and climate is the best guide to achieve the ultimate goal of a collaborative learning climate. Such a climate not only fosters academic success but also develops a school culture that is more rewarding for staff, students and administrators. Such a culture is an ideal setting for helping students to become responsible citizens. As a former teacher, principal and college professor, the content of this book has a sound theoretical base and is presented in a logical, readable and practical manner. -- W. A. (Bill) Belanger, PhD, president BB Consultants for Change; professor (retired) University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Author Bio

Dr. Cletus R. Bulach is a career educator with experience as a teacher, school administrator, and university professor of educational leadership. His research and numerous publications have been on school culture and climate, bullying behavior, character education, and leadership development. Dr. Fred C. Lunenburg is a career educator with experience as a teacher, school administrator, and university professor of educational leadership. He has authored or co-authored 26 books and more than 200 journal articles in the areas of educational leadership and supervision. Dr. Les Potter is a career educator with experience as a teacher, school administrator, and university professor of educational leadership. He has over 90 publications in books, chapters, book reviews, and articles educational journals.