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.
Additional Goals for Improving Instruction
School Turnaround > Instruction > See How It Works
Listen to two elementary principals describe their schools' focus for improving instruction. These schools focused on reading, writing, and math, and centering instruction on state...
Resource Type
School Example
Building Relationships With Parents
School Turnaround > Leadership > See How It Works
A new principal describes changes she made to build stronger relationships with the parents and the community. She tailored meeting structures and communication processes to encourage parental...
Resource Type
School Example
Districts and Schools Working Together to Achieve Results
School Turnaround > Leadership > See How It Works
Regional support systems help schools and districts improve instruction through analyzing the use of time, quality of lessons, student engagement, and teacher behavior. Watch this video to see how...
Resource Type
School Example
Five Pillars That Guide Change
School Turnaround > Leadership > See How It Works
Turnaround schools often follow a core set of principles that target immediate areas of change. A high school principal describes the core principles that guided this school improvement process,...
Resource Type
School Example
Cultivating the Ability to Lead (Part 2)
School Turnaround > Leadership > See How It Works
Listen to the vice president of the NYC Leadership Academy's Principal Preparation Program describe the structure of the 14-month program. She explains how the introductory summer intensive,...
Resource Type
School Example
Cultivating the Ability to Lead (Part 1)
School Turnaround > Leadership > See How It Works
Listen to the vice president of the NYC Leadership Academy's Principal Preparation Program describe how they select potential leaders to participate in the program. She enumerates important...
Resource Type
School Example
Building Turnaround Principals' Knowledge and Skills
School Turnaround > Leadership > See How It Works
Two district leaders in Chicago Public Schools describe efforts to develop a strong cadre of school principals that have the skills to turn around the district's lowest-performing schools. This...
Resource Type
School Example
Establishing a Climate for Learning`
School Turnaround > Leadership > See How It Works
A new principal signals change and establishes a climate for learning. She implemented character education, hallway decorum, and interventions for struggling students. Teachers received...
Resource Type
School Example
"Caught You Teaching to the Norms" Notepad
School Turnaround > Quick Wins > See How It Works
Teachers and instructional leaders use this notepad during brief observations to note teachers' integration of the school's instructional norms into daily lessons: Objective, Checking for...
Resource Type
Sample Material
DEEPER
School Turnaround > Instruction > See How It Works
This sample material describes a schoolwide instructional model that contains the basic components of rigorous literacy-based instruction in all content areas. Related Files: Jackson...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Tennessee State Assessment Results Score Report
School Turnaround > Instruction > See How It Works
Staff collaboratively analyzes data reports such as these from the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) to determine strengths and weaknesses in student learning. Related...
Resource Type
Sample Material
December Walkthrough
School Turnaround > Instruction > See How It Works
This instructional coherence protocol guides administrator walkthroughs of elementary school classrooms. Administrators note evidence indicating that expectations of classroom environment and...
Resource Type
Sample Material
