The document discusses the social system of schools. It defines a social system as (1) a group of interacting elements that form a unified whole, and (2) activities and interactions of groups brought together for a common purpose. Schools are described as social systems characterized by interdependence, a defined population, and differentiation from the environment. Key elements of schools as social systems include structure, individuals, culture, politics, a technical core (teaching and learning), the environment, outputs, feedback, and effectiveness.

1. Soci al Syst em of
t he School
By: BELINDA D. BERMEJO
Ph.D. Filipino

2. At t he end of t hi s t opi c you
wi l l be abl e t o:
•Know what is a “social system”
•Explain what does “social system” refers to
•Give the basic assumption for social system models
•Identify some key elements of the school as a social
system

3. The School
• Is a system of social interaction
• An organized whole comprising interacting
personalities bound together in an organic
relationship (Waller, 1932)
• As a social system, it is characterized by an
interdependence of parts, a clearly defined
population, differentiation from its environment.
• A complex network of social relationships and its
own culture.

4. What i s “ Soci al Syst em” ?
• a social organization
• A group of elements and activities that interact and
constitutes a single social entity (Longress, 2000)
• It is a model or organization that possess creativity
beyond its component parts; it is distinguished from
its environment by a clearly defined boundary;
• Composed of subunits, elements and subsystems
that are interrelated within relatively stable
patterns of social order (Olsen, 1970)

5. What does “ Soci al Syst em”
r ef er s t o?
• 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

6. Basi c Assumpt i on f or Soci al
Syst em Model s
Assumption- a fact/ statement that is taken for
granted
1. Social systems are open systems
2. Social systems consist of interdependent parts,
characteristics, and activities that contribute to
and receive from a whole
3. Social systems are peopled

7. Basi c Assumpt i on f or Soci al
Syst em Model s
4. Social systems are goal oriented
5. Social systems are structural
6. Social Systems are normative
7. Social system are sanctioned bearing
8. Social systems are political
9. Social systems have distinctive cultures

8. Basi c Assumpt i on f or Soci al
Syst em Model s
10. Social systems are conceptual and relative
11. All formal organizations are social system: But all
social systems are not formal organizations.

10. Key El ement s of t he School as a
Soci al Syst em
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 them
individual needs, beliefs, and a cognitive
understandings of a job.

11. Key El ement s of t he School as a
Soci al Syst em
Culture: represents the unwritten feeling part of the
organizations; its shared value
Politics: informal power relations that develop
spontaneously
Core: the teaching- learning process is the technical
core of the school
Environment: everything outside the organization;
source of inputs.

12. Key El ement s of t he School as a
Soci al Syst em
Outputs: the products of the organizations, e.g.
educated students
Feedback: communication that monitors behavior.
Effectiveness: the congruence between expected
and actual outcomes.