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.
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
People, Time, Money, and Programming
School Turnaround > Overview & Tools
Dr. Calkins discusses strategies to facilitate school turnaround. He emphasizes the need to establish a readiness to learn in turnaround schools through effectively managing the schools' use of...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
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
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
The Turnaround Principal: Part 1
School Turnaround > Leadership > Overview & Tools
Michael Cormack discusses actions he has taken as a turnaround principal and the connection between these actions and the underlying competencies of Driving for Results and Influencing for Results....
Resource Type
School Example
The Turnaround Principal: Part 2
School Turnaround > Leadership > Overview & Tools
Michael Cormack discusses actions he has taken as a turnaround principal and the connection between these actions and the underlying competencies of Driving for Results and Influencing for Results....
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
Lifelong Learning for Capacity Building
School Turnaround > Instruction > See How It Works
The superintendent of Hollandale School District talks about building a cadre of qualified teachers. The School Improvement Grant enabled the district to offer tuition incentives to attract...
Resource Type
School Example
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
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
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
