School as a Social System

1. Social System
of the School

2. The SchoolThe School
• Is a system of social interactionIs a system of social interaction
• It is an organized whole comprisingIt is an organized whole comprising
interacting personalities boundinteracting personalities bound
together in an organic relationshiptogether in an organic relationship
(Waller, 1932)(Waller, 1932)
• As a social system, it is characterized byAs a social system, it is characterized by
an interdependence of parts, a clearlyan interdependence of parts, a clearly
defined population, differentiation fromdefined population, differentiation from
its environment, a complex network ofits environment, a complex network of
social relationships and its own culture.social relationships and its own culture.

3. • is a social organizationis a social organization
• is a group of elements and activities thatis a group of elements and activities that
interact and constitute a single social entityinteract and constitute a single social entity
(Longress, 2000)(Longress, 2000)
• it is a model or organization that possessit is a model or organization that possess
creativity beyond its component parts; it iscreativity beyond its component parts; it is
distinguished from its environment by adistinguished from its environment by a
clearly defined boundary; it is composed ofclearly defined boundary; it is composed of
subunits, elements and subsystems that aresubunits, elements and subsystems that are
interrelated within relatively stable patterns ofinterrelated within relatively stable patterns of
social order (Olsen, 1970)social order (Olsen, 1970)
What is “Social System”?What is “Social System”?

4. • Refers to Activities and Interaction of groups
consisting of members brought together for
a common purpose
• Classroom is a good example of social
system
 Ethos
 Norm
 Values
 Psychological aspects
What does “Social System” refersWhat does “Social System” refers
to?to?

5. Basic Assumption for SocialBasic Assumption for Social
System ModelsSystem Models
AssumptionAssumption
~ is a fact/statement that is taken for~ is a fact/statement that is taken for
grantedgranted
1.1.Social systems areSocial systems are open systemsopen systems
2.2.Social systems consist ofSocial systems consist of
interdependentinterdependent parts, characteristics,parts, characteristics,
and activities that contribute to andand activities that contribute to and
receive from the wholereceive from the whole

6. Basic Assumption for SocialBasic Assumption for Social
System ModelsSystem Models
3. Social systems are3. Social systems are peopledpeopled
4. Social systems are4. Social systems are goal orientedgoal oriented
5. Social systems are5. Social systems are structuralstructural
6. Social systems are6. Social systems are normativenormative
7. Social systems are7. Social systems are sanction bearingsanction bearing
8. Social systems are8. Social systems are politicalpolitical
9. Social systems have9. Social systems have distinctive culturesdistinctive cultures

7. Basic Assumption for SocialBasic Assumption for Social
System ModelsSystem Models
10. Social systems are10. Social systems are conceptual andconceptual and
relativerelative
11. All formal organizations are social11. All formal organizations are social
system: But all social systems are notsystem: But all social systems are not
formal organizations.formal organizations.

9. Key Elements of the School as aKey Elements of the School as a
Social SystemSocial System
Schools are social systems with the
following key parts:
• Structure: roles are expectations of positions
that are arranged in a hierarchy.
• Individual: the individual is a key unit in any
social system; regardless of position, people
bring with them individual needs, beliefs, and
a cognitive understandings of the job.
• Culture: represents the unwritten feeling
part of the organizations: its shared values

10. Key Elements of the School as aKey Elements of the School as a
Social SystemSocial System
• PoliticsPolitics: informal power relations that: informal power relations that
develop spontaneously.develop spontaneously.
• CoreCore: the teaching-learning process is the: the teaching-learning process is the
technical core of schools.technical core of schools.
• EnvironmentEnvironment: everything outside the: everything outside the
organization; source of inputs.organization; source of inputs.
• OutputsOutputs:: the products of the organizations,the products of the organizations,
e. g. educated students.e. g. educated students.
• FeedbackFeedback: communication that monitors: communication that monitors
behavior.behavior.
• EffectivenessEffectiveness: the congruence between: the congruence between
expected and actual outcomes.expected and actual outcomes.

12. Thank you!!Thank you!!
Presented by:Presented by:
Michelle Tamayo-TimadoMichelle Tamayo-Timado