School Culture and Leadership
Case Study: Shaping School Culture
Part 1: Case Analysis
Summary
This case study represents a situation where the assistant principal is now the principal of a failing school. The problem is that the school can be taken over by outside entities if it is not improved. The school has a high percentage of Hispanic and African American who live in high poverty from single family homes and subsidized apartments. The principal needs to involve the community and all stakeholders to collaborate the behavior problems so that learning can take place. Also, hire about seven new teachers who can bring in new ideas, are willing to help student achievement and school culture. The principal has several needs to analyze before implementing a plan. They include student achievement data, discipline data, staff evaluations, the school improvement plan, and previous files left from the principal.
The issues that need to be resolved are how to improve student achievement, school culture, and new ideas that help students be successful life- long learners. The important stakeholders are the board members, parents, students, community, all staff members from the cafeteria workers to the bus drivers, crossing guards, supervision staff, and the newly hired members, etc.
The court case of ABBOTT v. Burke, 1998 relates to this case because the Constitution states that "Legislature shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools for the instruction of all the children in the State between the ages of five and eighteen years." N.J. Const. art. Thus, the 1975 Act was amended stating that “special need districts and the property -rich districts be funded accordingly to their needs.” Also, that the funding should, “be adequate to provide for their special educational needs of their poorer urban districts and their extreme disadvantages.” Thus, this school qualifies as a poor district because it is underfunded by the taxpayers, low-income families, and federal subsidized housing.
Agape Corporations (2023-24) district policy is that we have several steps in place that secures our campus, the culture of our school is a family friendly environment that supports students need and teachers are in constant contact with parents and guardians about student progress. Our policies are that when a child has missing assignments, we contact parents and tutor the student. However, if this is not successful then the child can be placed on independent studies.
Possible solutions to the issues are to hire an independent contractor to help solve the problems, do all the work myself, or find out my staff’s expertise or areas where they can lead others into implementing an improvement plan and get the community involvement to support us in educating their child.
My solution is to first establish a school safety team because these areas are where principals spend their time managing. Without a safety procedure plan in place and preventatives measure to support our safety norms then the school culture cannot improve and be successful. Thus, once established this will allow me to focus on other areas to improve the school, week 1. My next step in week 1-2, is to establish a coalitions of school personnel with lead counselors and other staff members who have expertise in areas of concern. Here I would discuss the issues and delegate each person to address and formulate an improvement plan for their area of improvement. Next, in week 2, I would involve the community to participate in our improvement plan and have them meet with my coalition to add their input and solutions to the problems we face. In week 3, I would meet with each focus team for an update, solutions and ask for a well written plan that involves the community to participate on campus for extra support in the class, yard supervision and other areas where they are needed. I would encourage the community to be active participants in helping rebuild our school. Once these plans are revised and approved by all the participants in all groups, we will set up and start implementing a plan, schedules, and other necessary ideas to make the concepts work, week 4-6. This would include having school events and sponsoring activities that encourage and promote our new culture of unity with emphasis on our school, neighborhood, community being in a safety zone for all students, parents, and community members.
My moral and legal consequences is that as a leader, I feel compelled to make sure that the students are given the opportunity to be safe, learn to the best of their ability while in a safe environment that supports them as an individual. Every child should have the opportunity to learn and be able to explore new ideas and further their learning as young people who can contribute to making the world a better place for themselves and others. The legal consequences are that it would be my duty to obey the Constitutions in establishing an equal opportunity for underprivileged students to have the same rights as others. Thus, it is against the law and moral ethics not to provide students with financial benefits that are given to them from the government and other state fundings.
Part 2: Rationale
I chose this solution of working as a team because no person can possibly master all the needs of a school successfully without a team. It is very difficult and time consuming being the leader of more than one or two things, so imagine many concepts, personalities, difficult issues, and problems. Thus, a team helps alleviate stress and give others the opportunity to lead. As a leader I will be establishing trust within my team, sharing responsibilities, and building efficacy among the staff. This is important because I need a team that motivates and trusts me in making the right decision, supports my ideas and I trust, motivate, and support their ideas. We need to establish high expectations, a working relationship for the success of the school and community. I want to establish a united front for all stakeholders to feel students, parents welcomed and secure that we have their child’s best interest in making them successful.
Collaboration is the best solution because it allows brilliant minds and expertise to contribute with their knowledge. It also allows others to be part of a solution that they feel empowered to. Thus, as a team we will strive to build a positive relationship among ourselves, stakeholders, and community. We will continue to correspond to difficult issues as a team, making students’ safety and achievements our priority.
References
ABBOTT BY ABBOTT v. Burke, 710 A.2d 450, 153 N.J. 480 (1998).
Agape Corporations (2023- 2024). W. E. B. DuBois public charter school: Student and parent handbook.
Cooley, V. E., & Shen, J. (2005). SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY AND PRINCIPALS'PROFESSIONAL
JOB. School principals, 61.
Greene, W. L., Musser, P. M., Casbon, J., Caskey, M. M., Samek, L. L., & Olson, M. (2008). Caught in the
Middle Again: Accountability & the Changing Practice of Middle School Teachers. Middle Grades
Research Journal, 3(4).
Part 1: Case Analysis
Summary
This case study represents a situation where the assistant principal is now the principal of a failing school. The problem is that the school can be taken over by outside entities if it is not improved. The school has a high percentage of Hispanic and African American who live in high poverty from single family homes and subsidized apartments. The principal needs to involve the community and all stakeholders to collaborate the behavior problems so that learning can take place. Also, hire about seven new teachers who can bring in new ideas, are willing to help student achievement and school culture. The principal has several needs to analyze before implementing a plan. They include student achievement data, discipline data, staff evaluations, the school improvement plan, and previous files left from the principal.
The issues that need to be resolved are how to improve student achievement, school culture, and new ideas that help students be successful life- long learners. The important stakeholders are the board members, parents, students, community, all staff members from the cafeteria workers to the bus drivers, crossing guards, supervision staff, and the newly hired members, etc.
The court case of ABBOTT v. Burke, 1998 relates to this case because the Constitution states that "Legislature shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools for the instruction of all the children in the State between the ages of five and eighteen years." N.J. Const. art. Thus, the 1975 Act was amended stating that “special need districts and the property -rich districts be funded accordingly to their needs.” Also, that the funding should, “be adequate to provide for their special educational needs of their poorer urban districts and their extreme disadvantages.” Thus, this school qualifies as a poor district because it is underfunded by the taxpayers, low-income families, and federal subsidized housing.
Agape Corporations (2023-24) district policy is that we have several steps in place that secures our campus, the culture of our school is a family friendly environment that supports students need and teachers are in constant contact with parents and guardians about student progress. Our policies are that when a child has missing assignments, we contact parents and tutor the student. However, if this is not successful then the child can be placed on independent studies.
Possible solutions to the issues are to hire an independent contractor to help solve the problems, do all the work myself, or find out my staff’s expertise or areas where they can lead others into implementing an improvement plan and get the community involvement to support us in educating their child.
My solution is to first establish a school safety team because these areas are where principals spend their time managing. Without a safety procedure plan in place and preventatives measure to support our safety norms then the school culture cannot improve and be successful. Thus, once established this will allow me to focus on other areas to improve the school, week 1. My next step in week 1-2, is to establish a coalitions of school personnel with lead counselors and other staff members who have expertise in areas of concern. Here I would discuss the issues and delegate each person to address and formulate an improvement plan for their area of improvement. Next, in week 2, I would involve the community to participate in our improvement plan and have them meet with my coalition to add their input and solutions to the problems we face. In week 3, I would meet with each focus team for an update, solutions and ask for a well written plan that involves the community to participate on campus for extra support in the class, yard supervision and other areas where they are needed. I would encourage the community to be active participants in helping rebuild our school. Once these plans are revised and approved by all the participants in all groups, we will set up and start implementing a plan, schedules, and other necessary ideas to make the concepts work, week 4-6. This would include having school events and sponsoring activities that encourage and promote our new culture of unity with emphasis on our school, neighborhood, community being in a safety zone for all students, parents, and community members.
My moral and legal consequences is that as a leader, I feel compelled to make sure that the students are given the opportunity to be safe, learn to the best of their ability while in a safe environment that supports them as an individual. Every child should have the opportunity to learn and be able to explore new ideas and further their learning as young people who can contribute to making the world a better place for themselves and others. The legal consequences are that it would be my duty to obey the Constitutions in establishing an equal opportunity for underprivileged students to have the same rights as others. Thus, it is against the law and moral ethics not to provide students with financial benefits that are given to them from the government and other state fundings.
Part 2: Rationale
I chose this solution of working as a team because no person can possibly master all the needs of a school successfully without a team. It is very difficult and time consuming being the leader of more than one or two things, so imagine many concepts, personalities, difficult issues, and problems. Thus, a team helps alleviate stress and give others the opportunity to lead. As a leader I will be establishing trust within my team, sharing responsibilities, and building efficacy among the staff. This is important because I need a team that motivates and trusts me in making the right decision, supports my ideas and I trust, motivate, and support their ideas. We need to establish high expectations, a working relationship for the success of the school and community. I want to establish a united front for all stakeholders to feel students, parents welcomed and secure that we have their child’s best interest in making them successful.
Collaboration is the best solution because it allows brilliant minds and expertise to contribute with their knowledge. It also allows others to be part of a solution that they feel empowered to. Thus, as a team we will strive to build a positive relationship among ourselves, stakeholders, and community. We will continue to correspond to difficult issues as a team, making students’ safety and achievements our priority.
References
ABBOTT BY ABBOTT v. Burke, 710 A.2d 450, 153 N.J. 480 (1998).
Agape Corporations (2023- 2024). W. E. B. DuBois public charter school: Student and parent handbook.
Cooley, V. E., & Shen, J. (2005). SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY AND PRINCIPALS'PROFESSIONAL
JOB. School principals, 61.
Greene, W. L., Musser, P. M., Casbon, J., Caskey, M. M., Samek, L. L., & Olson, M. (2008). Caught in the
Middle Again: Accountability & the Changing Practice of Middle School Teachers. Middle Grades
Research Journal, 3(4).