School Turnaround
Explore resources and key practices that can help under-performing schools make the shift from low-performing to "turnaround." 
- View a visual diagram of all four practices
- Watch a topic overview and download planning templates
- Listen to an expert
Explore the subtopics below to learn more about the recommended practices:
To learn more about the research underlying these practices, view the IES Practice Guide, Turning Around Chronically Low-Performing Schools.
Recommendations of the Turnaround Practice Guide
School Turnaround > Overview & Tools
Dr. Rebecca Herman, the chair of the expert panel that produced the Practice Guide, provides an overview of the school turnaround topic and discusses the four recommendations that are described in...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Supporting and Developing Turnaround Leaders
School Turnaround > Leadership > Learn What Works
Dr. Hassel discusses the challenges encountered by new and continuing school principals and the role of district leadership in supporting principals of turnaround schools.
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Signaling Change
School Turnaround > Leadership > Learn What Works
Dr. Bryan Hassel describes the importance of strong leadership in turnaround schools and the role that school principals play in signaling the need and direction for change.
Resource Type
Expert Interview
How Principals Can Help
School Turnaround > Instruction > Learn What Works
Dr. Daniel Duke describes effective strategies from the school turnaround and business turnaround literature that principals and teacher teams can use to improve instruction.
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Visual Diagram: School Turnaround
School Turnaround > Overview & Tools
School turnaround efforts aim to improve student outcomes in chronically low-performing schools by changing how schools and classrooms operate. This diagram shows an approach that integrates four...
Resource Type
Visual Diagram
Reconstitution: Reinvigorating Teacher Practices
School Turnaround > Committed Staff > See How It Works
Teachers discuss the process of applying to be rehired after their school was reconstituted. They talk about how the experience changed their teaching practices and what strategies were implemented...
Resource Type
School Example
Creating an Actionable Plan
School Turnaround > Instruction > See How It Works
View a presentation about a high school implementation of a comprehensive literacy plan across all content areas. A literacy council was established to support the implementation of evidence-based...
Resource Type
School Example
Increasing Time on Task
School Turnaround > Quick Wins > See How It Works
Staff had several quick wins to reduce classroom interruptions and increase the percentage of class time dedicated to instruction and learning. The administration adjusted morning announcements and...
Resource Type
School Example
State Support for Turnaround Schools - Part 1
School Turnaround > Instruction > See How It Works
The Ohio Transformation Specialist and the principal of Southern Local Jr./Sr. High School discuss how they work together. They talk about the activities they conduct during each of the...
Resource Type
School Example
Professional Community Time
School Turnaround > Instruction > See How It Works
A high school principal celebrates his staff’s successes and leads them in a discussion of the school vision. Teachers then work collaboratively to develop activities to foster higher-order...
Resource Type
School Example
Strategic Math Support Classes
School Turnaround > Instruction > See How It Works
Waterford High School places support classes within the regular school day to help students who perform below the basic level in algebra. Watch this video to see how the math department teachers...
Resource Type
School Example
Distributed Leadership
School Turnaround > Leadership > See How It Works
In this video, the Building Leadership Team Facilitator at Southern Local Jr./Sr. High School and the district Federal Programs Coordinator discuss the role of the building leadership team. This...
Resource Type
School Example
