Standard 3: Cultural Leadership
Principals will understand and act on the understanding of the important role a school's culture plays in contributing to the exemplary performance of the school. Principals must support and value the traditions, artifacts, symbols and positive values and norms of the school and community that result in a sense of identity and pride upon which to build a positive future. A principal must be able to "re-culture" the school if needed to align with school's goals of improving student and adult learning and to infuse the work of the adults and students with passion, meaning and purpose. Cultural leadership implies understanding the school and the people in it each day, how they came to their current state, and how to connect with their traditions in order to move them forward to support the school's efforts to achieve individual and collective goals.
a. Focus on Collaborative Work Environment: The principal understands and acts on the understanding of the positive role that a collaborative work environment can play in the school's culture.
b. School Culture and Identity: The principal develops and uses shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of the school.
c. Acknowledges Failures; Celebrates Accomplishments and Rewards: The principal acknowledges failures and celebrates accomplishments of the school in order to define the identity, culture and performance of the school.
d. Efficacy and Empowerment: The principal develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff which influences the school's identity, culture and performance.