How can we create a school culture that supports more intensive staff development?
Redesigning a professional development program so that it is directly related to student learning undoubtedly will result in changes in a schools established culture. Creating a community in which continuous learning and improvement – on the part of teachers, administrators, and students – is the norm rather than the exception often represents a departure from the past. Schools that have successfully created so-called learning communities have done so through a variety of strategies. Some award-winning sites, for example, have signaled this shift in culture through a succinct, clear, ever-present mission statement and through annual events during which important accomplishments gained through professional development are celebrated. Teachers in award-winning sites also note that team-teaching strategies can transform school culture. If teachers collaborate to improve student achievement, those who are unmotivated or reluctant to change their practices cannot hide. To avoid critical fee
