ABSTRACT
This chapter, as illustrated by the example of Westview Elementary School, moves from the collective assumptions that make up school and classroom cultures to the actions individuals can take to make the school experience rewarding and challenging for all students. It returns to collective actions that will encourage and sustain the actions of individuals. Important as teachers, administrators, students, staff members, and parents are in changing schools and classrooms, they cannot do the job alone. Schools, colleges, and departments of education, state credentialing boards, and national professional organizations are responsible for the preparation and professional development of teachers, principals, and other instructional staff. In contrast, accountability legislation, which ties student promotion and teacher and administrator jobs to scores on standardized tests, is unlikely to significantly change school or classroom cultures because people at the school level are being told to change rather than voluntarily choosing to change.
