Patrick Schuermann is a Research Assistant Professor at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. He received his doctorate from the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations. His principal research agenda focuses on non-traditional public schools and independent school leadership issues.Over the past several years, Patrick has worked with a trans-institutional team of university leaders and regional independent school leaders to create the Independent School Leadership Institute, which is a joint venture between the National Research and Development Center on School Choice and the Peabody Professional Institutes.His doctoral dissertation focuses on an integrated approach to faculty evaluation, professional development, and compensation models for non-traditional schools.

• PrefaceTable of ContentsAcknowledgementsSchool Culture ChecklistCase Study 1: Buchanan School: Can School Culture Get Better than this?Chapter 1: Defining and Specifying the Significance of School CultureCase Study 2: Possible Reform at Washington High School: How Far Can a Productive Culture Stretch?Chapter 2: Components of a High Performing School CultureCast Study 3: Walton Charter Prepares to Select A Head: What Kind of Leader Might Create a Productive Culture?Chapter 3: Leadership and Effective School CultureCase Study 4: Warren County School Board Performance Pay Cram Down Can a Productive Culture Withstand an Unexpected External Pressure?Chapter 4: Personnel and School CultureCase Study 5: The Challenge of an (Almost) Brand New School: Can the Past be Blended with the New to Form a Productive Culture?Chapter 5: Resource Deployment and School CultureCase Study 6: Data, Data Everywhere but Hardly a Drop of Useful InformationChapter 6: Data-driven Decision Making and School CultureCase Study 7: “My Way” Ray and the “New” AccountabilityChapter 7: Assessments, Accountability, Awards, and School CultureCase Study 8: A Principal Opening at the Grant School: Can a Dysfunctional Culture Be Undone?Chapter 8: Contextual Challenges to Formation of a Learning CultureGlossaryIndex

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