Leadership Learning Series:  Building Positive School Culture to Increase Student Achievement

This Leadership Learning Series is a highly interactive investigation into the impact of positive school culture on teacher performance and student achievement.  Using current research as a basis for the experience, participants are given the opportunity to read, discuss, react, and consider action steps for their schools.  Sample tools for assessing school culture and a variety of strategies for culture-building are explored.  The importance of leadership by the principal in promoting a clear vision for the school, facilitating professional learning communities, providing appropriate professional development, and ensuring that every student has equitable opportunities and encouragement to succeed serves as the foundation for the experience.  The session supports Outcome 2 of the Maryland Instructional Leadership Framework: Aligning All Aspects of School Culture to Student and Adult Learning.

Purposes:

Participants will:

     1.  Describe the components of school culture aligned to student
          and adult learning
     2.  Diagnose actions, attitudes, and behaviors related to school
          culture 
     3.  Use tools for assessing school culture
     4.  Identify strategies for cultivating a positive school culture 
     5.  Consider next steps for their schools