Policy Review Part 4: Role of Culture in School Improvement
Excerpt from CGR Report
As the media tell the story, a war over education policy is being waged between anti-teacher, test-loving, business-minded crusaders and pro-union, anti-testing defenders of children. The film Waiting for Superman, the Los Angeles Times release of test scores by teacher, and policy changes spurred by Race to the Top have fueled the conflict.
This education “culture war” forms the context in which Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard came to RCSD.
In many ways, culture change is the work of district reform. And it is difficult to achieve. An attack on organizational culture is personal for everyone involved, thus is more politically charged and more likely to ignite an emotional reaction. It’s why winning hearts and minds of staff is so important.
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Kirstin Pryor is a proud parent of Maya (8) and Mason (4) at Franklin Montessori, where she serves on School-Based Planning Team. Before returning to Rochester three years ago, she spent 9 years as a middle school teacher, union member and literacy coach in Baltimore City Public Schools. She and her husband are both graduates of Wilson Magnet.
Kent Gardner is an economist. Two children having left the nest (after graduating from Irondequoit High School), he & wife Jill have only the puppy, Reilly, to raise.
Erika Rosenberg expects to send new daughter Nina and her big brother Nate to East Irondequoit schools. A reporter before joining CGR, Erika walked the D&C’s education beat for 5 years.