Thesis advisor: Vincent Cho / Rorrer, Skrla, and Scheurich (2008) proposed a theory that district leaders enact several essential roles when engaging in systemic reform that both improves achievement and equity. Their theory identified reshaping district culture as one of these essential functions in systemic reform.  This case study explored how leaders in one Massachusetts public school district, which has demonstrated signs of improving achievement and equity, attempted to reshape district culture.   Drawing primarily upon semi-structured interviews, this study found that while these leaders reported using a variety of methods to assess the culture, the district has limited systems-level thinking about their culture.  Similarly, these leaders each made their own choices amongst shaping strategies ranging from focusing on subgroup dynamics to empowering early followers. Recommendations include the development of additional training for leaders in the small group facilitation necessary to uncover shared underlying assumptions and the creation of a district-level common language concerning culture. / Thesis (EdD) — Boston College, 2016. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education.

The submitted thesis analyses cultural politics of Prague 7 municipal district, based on a pilot strategical project of culture planning Art District 7 starting in 2016. The study conducts Charles Landry's concept of Creative Cities and its application in the Czech cities; critically evolve Richard Florida's theory about Creative Classes; and understanding of authenticity by Sharon Zukin. The research methodology uncovers, by comparative analysis, implementation of the project Art District 7 in reality and differences of cultural practices of municipality and the actors themselves. Each chapter of the analytical part is a category of critical viewpoint to cultural politics at Prague 7 district. Transformation of cultural actor's politics (a theater, a hall, a cafe) within 2 years long research at Dolní Holešovice is clearly characterized in individual parts named Community, Space and ART. The chapter Community follows gradual change of cultural actor's relationships towards local inhabitants of the Dolní Holešovice district and presents actor's understanding of themselves as a distinct community. Second chapter emphasizes spacial changes on the interior level of the objects as well as the outer ones on the level of street and parter. Third chapter ART presents different understanding of art and...