Culture by Design: The Discovery Process as a New Way for Schools

A 2022 Gallup poll reveals that 55% of American parents are dissatisfied with their children's schools, while a 2022 CDC survey shows that 44% of high school students feel persistent sadness or hopelessness, with 9% admitting to attempting suicide. Malcolm Gauld proposes a solution to address this issue by prioritizing attitude, effort, and character over aptitude, ability, and talent. The book suggests a blueprint for implementing this shift, starting with a thorough examination of school cultures and introducing the Discovery Process, a dynamic program for improving school culture aligned with national SEL standards.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 164 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

An eye-opening 2022 Gallup poll reveals that a significant majority (55%) of American parents express dissatisfaction with the schools their children attend. Additionally, a 2022 CDC survey of 7,705 high school students found that 44% of them experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, with 9% admitting to having attempted suicide. With 45 years of teaching experience and leadership in schools, Malcolm Gauld provides a candid assessment of the current educational landscape: "We care more about what they can do than who they are, and they know it." The solution lies in a fundamental shift in priorities, where schools prioritize attitude, effort, and character over aptitude, ability, and talent. This book offers a comprehensive blueprint for achieving this transformation. The first step involves school leaders taking a deep and honest look at the quality of their school's culture. The author emphasizes that every school has a culture, whether it is intentionally designed or inadvertently shaped by default. After a thorough exploration of the nature of culture, the author introduces and describes a dynamic school culture improvement program called the Discovery Process. This program, which aligns with national social and emotional learning (SEL) standards, is presented as a practical approach to creating a culture of excellence. The Discovery Process involves a series of steps, including assessing the current culture, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing targeted interventions to foster a positive school environment. The author highlights the importance of involving all stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents, and community members, in the culture-building process. By working together, schools can create a culture that supports student well-being, academic success, and overall school success. The Discovery Process is presented as a flexible framework that can be adapted to different school contexts and needs. The author provides examples of successful implementations of the program in both public and private schools, demonstrating its effectiveness in transforming school cultures. Overall, the book offers a compelling case for prioritizing culture in education and provides practical tools and strategies for creating a positive and supportive school environment. By valuing attitude, effort, and character, schools can help students develop into well-rounded individuals who are prepared for success in the 21st century.

Weight: 240g
Dimension: 228 x 152 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781475872385