toxic cultures

Question 1

___is the underlying set of norms, values, traditions, ceremonies, and unwritten behavior, action, and thinking rules.

Answer 1

school culture

Question 2

Over time the group develops a __ and __that are the glue that keeps it together

Answer 2

set of values
beliefs

Question 3

The culture has sometimes developed dysfunctional values and beliefs, negative traditions, and caustic interactions. These are what Deal and
Peterson (1998) called __.

Answer 3

toxic cultures

Question 4

Toxic school cultures lack a __and __, __and __, __and __, and have negative peer relationships (Peterson,
2002)

Answer 4

mission
vision
value laziness
apathy
appreciate separateness
exclusivity

Question 5

these cultures focus on __and use these as an excuse to remain __. Also, they added that toxic school cultures encourage individuals to see failures as the __ of circumstances __of their control rather than as opportunities for __.

Answer 5

failures
stagnant
inevitable results
outside
improvement

Question 6

According to Peterson (2002), schools with negative or toxic culture:

Answer 6

Lack of clear sense of purpose
Have norms that reinforce inertia.
Blame students for lack of progress.
Discourage collaboration.
Often have actively hostile relations among staff

Question 7

Moreover, in toxic cultures, staff:

Answer 7

1. View students as the problem rather than as their valued clients
2. Believe they are doing the best they can and do not search out new ideas
3. Rarely share ideas, materials, or solutions to classroom problems
4. Are sometimes parts of negative subcultures that are hostile and critical
   of change

Question 8

In these cultures, staff are afraid to offer ___ or __ for fear of being attacked or criticized.

Answer 8

suggestions
new ideas

Question 9

Planning sessions led by the school improvement council or committee is often __ due to the __and __
fostered by hostile staff that refuses to see that improvement is possible.

Answer 9

half-hearted
negativity and sense of hopelesness

Question 10

New staff that brings hope and a sense of possibility are __ and __into negative thinking.

Answer 10

quickly squelched
re-socialized

Question 11

Programs that are planned are __because the motivation and commitment to change are __or __

Answer 11

poorly implemented
weak
non existentNo one wants to work in these kinds of schools. But, it takes leadership,
time, and focus to rebuild these festering institutions. Fortunately, most
schools are not this negative, though many have some of these cultural
patterns that make change problematic.

Question 12

No one wants to work in these kinds of schools. But, it takes __, __, and __to rebuild these festering institutions. Fortunately, most schools are not this negative, though many have some of these cultural patterns that make change problematic.

Answer 12

leadership
time
focus

Question 13

give 3 ways to deal with toxicity?

Answer 13

Protect emergent sources of positive focus and effort.
Actively recruit more positive and constructive staff.
Vigorously celebrate the positive and the improving sides of the school