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.
New School Intensive Scope and Sequence
School Turnaround > Quick Wins > See How It Works
New York City provides principals of new schools with training to understand the step-by-step opening process, beginning with communicating the new school's vision to staff and the community and...
Resource Type
Sample Material
School Implementation Plan
School Turnaround > Quick Wins > See How It Works
This principal-developed implementation plan is used to determine the transitional structures needed to build a strong school focused on teaching and learning. The plan includes activities such as...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Grade-Level Scheduling
School Turnaround > Quick Wins > See How It Works
Grade-level teachers at Edgemont Elementary School follow the same daily schedule to ensure adherence to required instructional minutes and to allow for collaborative planning. This document...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Planning Together to Support Student Growth
School Turnaround > Instruction > See How It Works
Fourth-grade teachers discuss student supports in their weekly grade-level team meeting, focusing on selected students. The teachers examine data to determine individual interventions and to guide...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Staff Meeting Agendas
School Turnaround > Leadership > See How It Works
School staff use this sample agenda for bi-monthly staff meetings. The agenda provides a guide for principals to organize staff meetings and to provide time for teacher teams to work together...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Description of Turnaround With New Leadership
School Turnaround > Leadership > See How It Works
This document describes the school turnaround process for Dodge Renaissance Academy. The principals removed obstacles to success and made dramatic improvements such as developing a disciplined...
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Sample Material
Leadership Performance Standards Matrix
School Turnaround > Leadership > See How It Works
This matrix is used to assess the readiness of aspiring principals. Candidates are ranked as meeting, progressing toward, or not meeting standards across a range of 12 dimensions, from personal...
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Sample Material
Moving Turnaround Efforts Forward
School Turnaround > Leadership > See How It Works
Two new elementary school principals discuss continuing and improving upon programs already in place in their schools. They describe their decision-making processes about curriculum, communication,...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Building a Protocol for a Job Candidate Interview
School Turnaround > Committed Staff > Overview & Tools
Principals can use this tool to reflect on current practice for interviewing new staff and consider ways to improve interview protocols in turnaround schools to ensure that staff with the right...
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Tool
Curriculum Mapping Tool
School Turnaround > Instruction > Overview & Tools
Schools can use this curriculum mapping tool to align the curriculum with standards and assessments; it provides one approach that schools can use.
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Tool
Planning Classroom Observation
School Turnaround > Instruction > Overview & Tools
Use this worksheet for planning classroom observations; it focuses on helping principals learn strategies for conducting useful observations to help teachers improve their instruction, rather than...
Resource Type
Tool
Learning Together: Using Data to Improve Instruction
School Turnaround > Instruction > Overview & Tools
This assessment can be used for in-service about using student data to improve instruction and learning. Teachers learn how to collect, analyze, and use student data on a regular basis. Related...
Resource Type
Tool
