Transforming School Culture

With foreword by Richard DuFour and Rebecca DuFourTransforming School Culture provides a school improvement plan for leaders to overcome staff division, improve relationships, and transform toxic school cultures into healthy ones.Dr. Anthony Muhammad contends that in order to transform school culture, we must understand why teachers continue to hold on to models or beliefs contrary to those put forth by their school or district. He explores the human behavior, social conditions, and history that cause the underlying conflict among the four different types of teachers in a school.The second edition of this best-selling resource delivers powerful new insight into the four types of educators (Believers, Fundamentalists, Tweeners, and Survivors) and how school leaders can work with each group to create positive school culture. The book also includes Dr. Muhammad's latest research as well as a new chapter dedicated to answering frequently asked questions on culture and school leadership in education.How this new edition will help you create a positive school culture:Study the author's research and observations of 34 schools 11 elementary schools, 14 middle schools, and 9 high schools and how each school's staff supported or hindered student achievement.Consider the characteristics of positive school cultures and how your school's culture and climate may differ.Learn how laws such as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and No Child Left Behind ( NCLB) impact teachers and school culture.Understand why teachers must work together to improve student performance.Obtain tips for creating a positive school culture and producing synergy.New in This Second Edition:An updated research base, including over 60 new referencesConnections to ESSA as well as reflections on NCLB's impact on educationAdditional insights into the four types of educatorsFurther guidance on what it takes to be a transformational leader and redirect Fundamentalists through communication, trust, capacity, and accountabilityA new chapter of frequently asked questions in regard to school culture, leadership, and the four types of educatorsContents:IntroductionChapter 1: From Status Quo to True ReformChapter 2: The Framework of Modern School CultureChapter 3: The BelieversChapter 4: The TweenersChapter 5: The SurvivorsChapter 6: The FundamentalistsChapter 7: 'Drop Your Tools': A Lesson in Change and Our Best Chance at Eliminating FundamentalismChapter 8: Implications for PracticeChapter 9: Frequently Asked QuestionsAppendix: Study DesignReferences and ResourcesIndex