Elected Officials and Policymakers
Policy Implications
Hearnsberger, 2021
Engagement Culture is more strongly correlated with academic outcomes on high-poverty campuses than poverty rate (Hearnsberger, 2021).
Change at individal schools is limited to what the 'larger culture affords, tolerates, or supports' (Schein & Schein, 2017, p. 182).
Policy Recommendations
Recommentation One: Prioritize Engagement Culture Over Standardized Test Results
There is a place for accountability as a means to monitor results, but not as a motivator. Monitoring is the domain of managers seeking order (Kotter, 2012).
Kotter, 2012
State Level
Update accontability system to encourage Engagement Culture in addition to skills measured on standardized tests.
An outsize focus on accountability contributes to the misunderstandings about public education... This hyperfocus is used to justify budget cuts (Rentner et al., 2006) and contributes to dissatisfaction.
Don't reduce schools to a simple letter grade.
Reduce the number of required accountability announcements and postings... These requirements make it difficult for local schools to prioritize anything over test scores.
Stop using test scores to justify dissatisfying practices.
Federal Level
Update ESSA to encourage Engagement Culture in addition to skills measured on annual standardized tests.
Allocate funds to bring back programs that were cut in high-poverty schools in response to the culture of accountability (Rentner et al., 2006).
Stop using standardized test scores to justify dissatisfying practices.
Hearnsberger, 2021
Recommentation Two: Systemically Embed Engagement Culture
Local, state, and federal education agencies should focus on Engagement Culture as a means to embed it. Local engagement culture initiatives will be more sustainable with support and leadership from state and federal education agencies.
Where to Look
Schein & Schein teach that there are three layers of culture:
Artifacts - These are the things you can see... detention forms, signs, dress codes, spirit signs, and more.
Espoused Values - These are the things people say they care about. Be careful... Espoused values are often aspirational!
Basic Underlying Assumptions - This is "the way we do things around here." It is the most accurate indicator but also the hardest to detect because it is hidden.
What to Look For
Interact with the study variables to get some ideas of where to find Engagement Culture on your campus.
Hint: They include student, parent, and staff surveys; discipline data; and extracurricular participation.
How to 'See' Culture
Frederick Herzberg is a mainstay in organizational leadership. His essay on motivation is included in this top-notch collection of leadership essays.
