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.
Curriculum Alignment Maps
School Turnaround > Instruction > See How It Works
This map aligns the standards to themes teachers in pre-K and fifth grade need to cover in the Hamilton County Public Schools. The document outlines milestones and essential questions in learning...
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Sample Material
Fifth-Grade Reading Lesson Plan
School Turnaround > Instruction > See How It Works
This lesson plan provides an example of a weekly fifth-grade reading lesson. Teachers use this format to plan all their lessons. The lesson plan includes standards addressed, objectives,...
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Sample Material
Grade Level Norms
School Turnaround > Committed Staff > See How It Works
This document outlines the norms that guide teacher behavior and collaboration at grade-level team meetings. Related Files: Edgemont Elementary School Description
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Sample Material
Key Ideas of Professional Learning Communities
School Turnaround > Committed Staff > See How It Works
This presentation describes three foundational ideas of professional learning communities—focus on learning, a collaborative culture, and focus on results—and the essential skills needed to...
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Sample Material
Staff Norms
School Turnaround > Committed Staff > See How It Works
This list outlines norms for staff interactions and communications. Related Files: Hardy Elementary School Description
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Postcard: We are #1!
School Turnaround > Committed Staff > See How It Works
A picture postcard depicts Waterford High School's status as the highest API score of 760 in a five-county region (Calaveras, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne) for the 2006-07 school...
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Lesson Observation
School Turnaround > Committed Staff > See How It Works
This form is used in formal lesson observations of teachers. Observers rate the teacher on various methods of instruction, including learning objectives, checking for understanding, skill and...
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Sample Material
Teacher Interview Questions and Scoring
School Turnaround > Committed Staff > See How It Works
School administrators use these questions to interview prospective language arts teachers. The questions are designed to gauge the teacher's knowledge and commitment to standards-based instruction...
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Mid-Year Staff Survey
School Turnaround > Committed Staff > See How It Works
Elementary school administrators gather teacher feedback and opinions through this mid-year survey, which asks about school climate, professional development, and curriculum, instruction, and...
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Sample Material
Staff Commit Two Program
School Turnaround > Committed Staff > See How It Works
A principal uses this form to ask staff to commit to the school through participation in two core school activities: (1) one of the school's core planning or decision-making teams, and (2) a...
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Sample Material
Elementary Staffing Plan
School Turnaround > Committed Staff > See How It Works
The principal of a newly restructured elementary school uses this staffing plan when hiring and placing teachers. The document includes the current staffing plan and priorities for staffing and...
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Sample Material
Suggestions for the Conduct of Personnel Committee Meetings
School Turnaround > Committed Staff > See How It Works
These guidelines for personnel committee meetings are designed to ensure consistent hiring procedures focused on filling available positions with personnel who understand and believe in the...
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