Leading changes in school culture : insights from a three-year school improvement program

Název: Leading changes in school culture : insights from a three-year school improvement program
Zdrojový dokument: Studia paedagogica. 2025, roč. 30, č. 3, s. [10]-[41]
Rozsah
[10]-[41]
  • ISSN
    2336-4521 (online)
Type: Článek
Jazyk
anglicky
Licence: Neurčená licence
Přístupová práva
otevřený přístup
 

Upozornění: Tyto citace jsou generovány automaticky. Nemusí být zcela správně podle citačních pravidel.

Abstrakt(y)
In decentralized educational systems, schools are expected to meet high standards, with school principals granted wide-ranging autonomy in decision making. This creates significant challenges for school leadership. Previous studies have suggested that partnerships with universities can be an effective way to drive change in the school culture by creating artifacts to initiate discussions about espoused beliefs and values, and even about basic underlying assumptions. This article presents a longitudinal study of five schools participating in a three-year program. The program aimed to create a collaborative culture by enhancing teaching and learning practices through distributed leadership, co-creation, and evidencedriven decision making. The study identified changes in school culture based on interviews with school teams and mentors and on teacher surveys conducted during the program. The findings highlight the challenges that the school leadership encountered when creating practices for effective professional learning, such as learning communities and peer observations. Effective leadership is crucial in evidence-driven decision making, as goaloriented leaders are necessary for sustaining collaborative organizational routines for data use. The program's structured support facilitated the circularity of learning for the school teams.
Reference
[1] Bhagwandhin, V., Grudnoff, L., & Meyer, F. (2025). Classroom observations and postobservation conversations: Powerful tools for developing teacher adaptive expertise. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40841-025-00376-4 | DOI 10.1007/s40841-025-00376-4

[2] Böse, S., & Brauckmann-Sajkiewicz, S. (2021). (In)effective leadership? Exploring the interplay of challenges, goals and measures in the context of school improvement. Journal of Educational Administration, ahead-of-print, 59(4), 454–471. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-07-2020-0162 | DOI 10.1108/jea-07-2020-0162

[3] Braun, V., Clarke, V., Hayfield, N., & Terry, G. (2019). Thematic Analysis. In P. Liamputtong (Ed.), Handbook of research methods in health social sciences (pp. 843–860). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5251-4_103 | DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-5251-4_103

[4] Brewer, J., & Hunter, A. (2006). The multimethod approach and its promise. In J. Brewer & A. Hunter (Eds.), Foundations of multimethod research (pp. 1–15). SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412984294

[5] Bryk, A. S., Gomez, L. M., Grunow, A., & LeMahieu, P. G. (2015). Learning to improve: How America’s schools can get better at getting better. Harvard Education Press.

[6] Bush, T. (2009). Leadership development and school improvement: Contemporary issues in leadership development. Educational Review, 61(4), 375–389. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131910903403956 | DOI 10.1080/00131910903403956

[7] Buttram, J. L., & Farley-Ripple, E. N. (2016). The role of principals in professional learning communities. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 15(2), 192–220. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2015.1039136 | DOI 10.1080/15700763.2015.1039136

[8] Carpenter, D. (2015). School culture and leadership of professional learning communities. International Journal of Educational Management, 29(5), 682–694. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-04-2014-0046 | DOI 10.1108/ijem-04-2014-0046

[9] Childress, M. (2009). Data-driven decision making: The development and validation of an instrument to measure principals’ practices. Academic Leadership: The Online Journal, 7(1),18. https://doi.org/10.46966/ijae.v5i4.451 | DOI 10.58809/uesr6337

[10] Coleman, M. (2020). Leading the change to establish a whole-school nurturing culture. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 25(1), 68–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632752.2019.1682244 | DOI 10.1080/13632752.2019.1682244

[11] Dinler, C. (2024). Challenges and strategies in school improvement. International Journal of Asian Education, 5(4), 302–312. https://doi.org/10.46966/ijae.v5i4.451 | DOI 10.46966/ijae.v5i4.451

[12] Eisenschmidt, E., Heidmets, M., Kitsing, M., Kasesalk, M., & Vanari, K. (2023). Aim high and work hard. Building a world-class learning system in Estonia. National Center on Education and the Economy. https://ncee.org/whitepaper/building-world-class-learning-systems-estonia-and-finland/ iew?usp=sharing&usp=embed_facebook

[13] Eisenschmidt, E., Kumpas-Lenk, K., Vanari, K., Arus, H., & Ivanova, K. (2024). Fostering collaborative school improvement in Estonian schools. Journal of School Leadership, 34(4), 341–366. https://doi.org/10.1177/10526846241245085 | DOI 10.1177/10526846241245085

[14] Eisenschmidt, E., Vanari, K., & Tammets, K. (2020). Tulevikukool: Eesti kooliuuenduse praktikast Haridusmõte. TLÜ Kirjastus.

[15] Eisenschmidt, E. & Vanari, E. (2025) How to unpack the black box of school culture – a conceptual framework for school improvement in Estonia. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2025.2477154 | DOI 10.1080/15700763.2025.2477154

[16] Feldhoff, T., Radisch, F., & Bischof, L. M. (2016). Designs and methods in school improvement research: A systematic review. Journal of Educational Administration, 54(2), 209–240. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-07-2014-0083 | DOI 10.1108/jea-07-2014-0083

[17] Fix, G. M., Rikkerink, M., Ritzen, H. T. M., Pieters, J. M., & Kuiper, W. A. J. M. (2021). Learning within sustainable educational innovation: An analysis of teachers’ perceptions and leadership practice. Journal of Educational Change, 22(1), 131–145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-020-09410-2 | DOI 10.1007/s10833-020-09410-2

[18] Gonzales, M. M., Bickmore, D. L., & Roberts, M. B. (2022). Implementing school improvement plans: Perceptions and implications of aspiring principals for educational leadership programs. Journal of Research on Leadership Education, 17(2), 160–180. https://doi.org/10.1177/1942775120964821 | DOI 10.1177/1942775120964821

[19] Gubbels, J., Hornstra, L., Weerdenburg, van M., Diepstraten, I., & Bakx, A. W. E. A. (2024). Educational professionals’ attitudes, self-efficacy, and classroom practices toward high-ability students: The role of collaborative school culture and schools’ collective efficacy. Roeper Review, 47(1), 32–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/02783193.2024.2420362 . | DOI 10.1080/02783193.2024.2420362

[20] Hallinger, P., Piyaman, P., & Viseshsiri, P. (2017). Assessing the effects of learning-centered leadership on teacher professional learning in Thailand. Teaching and Teacher Education, 67, 464–476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2017.07.008 | DOI 10.1016/j.tate.2017.07.008

[21] Hallinger, P. (1982). Principal instructional management rating scale. FL: Leading Development Associates. https://doi.org/10.1080/02671522.2022.2150883

[22] Heinla, E., & Kuurme, T. (2024). The impact of school culture, school climate, and teachers’ job satisfaction on the teacher-student relationship: A case study in four Estonian schools. Research Papers in Education, 39(3), 439–465. https://doi.org/10.1080/02671522.2022.2150883 | DOI 10.1080/02671522.2022.2150883

[23] Hopkins, D. (1995). Schools make a difference: Practical strategies for school improvement. Resource Base Publications.

[24] Kadarisman, Y. P., Rahman, M. R., Suyanto, Jabar, C. S. A., & Umar, A. (2024). School improvement framework for Indonesia. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal. https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.1865

[25] Karakose, T., Ozdogru, M., & Malkoc, N. (2024). Leading sustainable school improvement: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research on problems and challenges faced by school leaders. Frontiers in Education, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1449174 | DOI 10.3389/feduc.2024.1449174

[26] Katzenmeyer, M. & Moller, G. (2009). Awakening the sleeping giant: Helping teachers develop as leaders. Corwin Press.

[27] Koh, G. A., Askell-Williams, H., & Barr, S. (2023). Sustaining school improvement initiatives: Advice from educational leaders. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 34(3), 298–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2023.2190130 | DOI 10.1080/09243453.2023.2190130

[28] Lee, C., Camburn, E. M., & Sebastian, J. (2024). School context, school leaders’ data-informed decision making, and student achievement: Evidence from Florida. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 36(1), 45–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2024.2436889 | DOI 10.1080/09243453.2024.2436889

[29] Leithwood, K., Harris, A., & Hopkins, D. (2020). Seven strong claims about successful school leadership revisited. School Leadership and Management, 40(1), 5–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2019.1596077 | DOI 10.1080/13632434.2019.1596077

[30] Lochmiller, C. R. (2018). Coaching principals for the complexity of school reform. Journal of School Leadership, 28(2), 144–172. https://doi.org/10.1177/105268461802800201 | DOI 10.1177/105268461802800201

[31] Medford, J. A., & Brown, T. (2022). Newly appointed principals’ challenges in learning and adjusting to school culture. Heliyon, 8(9), e10542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10542 | DOI 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10542

[32] Meyer, F., Sinnema, C., & Patuawa, J. (2019). Novice principals setting goals for school improvement in New Zealand. School Leadership and Management, 39(2), 198–221. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2018.1473358 | DOI 10.1080/13632434.2018.1473358

[33] Mincu, M. (2022). Why is school leadership key to transforming education? Structural and cultural assumptions for quality education in diverse contexts. Prospects, 52(3/4), 231–242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-022-09625-6 | DOI 10.1007/s11125-022-09625-6

[34] Nehez, J., & Blossing, U. (2022). Practices in different school cultures and principals’ improvement work. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 25(2), 310–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2020.1759828 | DOI 10.1080/13603124.2020.1759828

[35] Olev, A., & Alumäe, T. (2022). Estonian speech recognition and transcription editing service. Baltic J. Modern Computing, 10(3), 409–421 https://doi.org/10.22364/bjmc.2022.10.3.14 | DOI 10.22364/bjmc.2022.10.3.14

[36] Oppi, P., Eisenschmidt, E., & Jõgi, A. (2022). Teacher’s readiness for leadership – a strategy for school development. School Leadership & Management, 42(1), 79–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2021.2016685 | DOI 10.1080/13632434.2021.2016685

[37] Poom-Valickis, K., Eisenschmidt, E., & Leppiman, A. (2021). Creating and developing a learningcentred collaborative school culture – views of Estonian school leaders. Center Educational Policy Studies Journal, 12(2), 212–237. https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.1029 | DOI 10.26529/cepsj.1029

[38] Rääk, K., & Eisenschmidt, E. (2025). Sustainable evidence-driven school improvement: Routines and data use in Estonian schools. Frontiers in Education, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1517985 | DOI 10.3389/feduc.2024.1517985

[39] Reinius, H., Hakkarainen, K., Juuti, K., & Korhonen, T. (2024). Teachers’ perceived opportunity to contribute to school culture transformation. Journal of Educational Change, 25(2), 369–391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-023-09496-4 | DOI 10.1007/s10833-023-09496-4

[40] Robinson, V., Bendikson, L., Mcnaughton, S., Wilson, A., & Zhu, T. (2017). Joining the dots: The challenge of creating coherent school improvement. Teachers College Record: The Voice of Scholarship in Education, 119(8), 1–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/016146811711900803 | DOI 10.1177/016146811711900803

[41] Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational culture and leadership (4th Ed.). Jossey-Bass.

[42] Schoen, L. T., & Teddlie, C. (2008). A new model of school culture: A response to a call for conceptual clarity. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 19(2), 129–153. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243450802095278 | DOI 10.1080/09243450802095278

[43] Shava, G. N., & Heystek, J. (2019). Agency and structure: Principals’ ability to bring about sustainable improvement in underperforming schools in South Africa. Africa Education Review, 16(2), 50–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/18146627.2017.1340809 | DOI 10.1080/18146627.2017.1340809

[44] Sigurðardóttir, A. (2017). Knowledge partnerships between schools and universities: Modelling the process of connection and relations. Evidence & Policy A Journal of Research Debate and Practice, 14(4), 683–705. https://doi.org/10.1332/174426417X14872517690770 | DOI 10.1332/174426417x14872517690770

[45] Sigurðardóttir, A. K., Hansen, B., & Gísladóttir, B. (2022). Development of an intervention framework for school improvement that is adaptive to cultural context. Improving Schools, 25(3), 244–259. https://doi.org/10.1177/13654802211051929 | DOI 10.1177/13654802211051929

[46] Spillane, J. P. (2006). Distributed leadership. Jossey-Bass.

[47] Türk, K., Haldma, T., Kukemelk, H., Ploom, K., Irs, R., & Pukkonen, L. (2011). Üldharidus- ja kutsekoolide tulemuslikkus ja seda mõjutavad tegurid [The effectiveness and its factors of general and vocational schools]. In Tartu Ülikool, Haridus- ja teadusministeerium (pp. 224).

[48] van Houtte, M. (2005). Climate or culture? A plea for conceptual clarity in school effectiveness research. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 16(1), 71–89. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243450500113977 | DOI 10.1080/09243450500113977

[49] van Houtte, M., & van Maele, D. (2011). The black box revelation: In search of conceptual clarity regarding climate and culture in school effectiveness research. Oxford Review of Education, 37(4), 505–524. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2011.595552 | DOI 10.1080/03054985.2011.595552

[50] Vanari, K., Tammets, K., & Eisenschmidt, E. (2020). School-university partnership for evidencedriven school improvement in Estonia. Pedagogy and Pedagogical Challenges. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89513 | DOI 10.5772/intechopen.89513

[51] Vanari, K., & Eisenschmidt, E. (2022). Missions, visions, and goals for school improvement— A typology of Estonian schools. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 23(2), 434–451. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2022.2160360 | DOI 10.1080/15700763.2022.2160360

[52] Vanari, K., Reinaru, D., & Eisenschmidt, E. (2025). Data use for school self-evaluation – The process, factors, and leadership practices in Estonian schools. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 85, 101465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stueduc.2025.101465 | DOI 10.1016/j.stueduc.2025.101465

[53] Vellar, R., Handal, B., Kearney, S., & Forlin, C. (2024). Teacher data use and student learning: Insights from a NSW Catholic School systém. Issues in Educational Research, 34(4), 1596–1617.

[54] Viano, S., Shahrokhi, F., & Hunter, S. B. (2024). Improvement science and school leadership: The precarious path to dynamic school improvement. Frontiers in Education, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1371664 | DOI 10.3389/feduc.2024.1371664