Turnaround Results

Schools and districts that partner with School Turnaround set verifiable student achievement targets at the beginning of the school year based on multi-year trends in student performance. These targets should be "do-able with a stretch" – meaning that they need to be something more attainable than pie-in-the-sky dreams, but should be substantive enough that they signal a significant turnaround to the community at large. At the end of each year, School Turnaround compares initial targets with actual achievement. This is done using state and district reported test scores for the year prior to the school's involvement with the program as well as the data from the turnaround year. We are so confident about the likelihood of success that we offer a warranty as part of the program. If a school fully implements its turnaround design but does not hit its achievement targets, School Turnaround will refund the cost of the program.

Recent studies estimate that differences in school leadership characteristics account for as much as 25% of differences in student learning (Waters et al, 2003). Research conducted by Dr. Mónica Byrne-Jiménez, of Hofstra University shows that through working directly with principals of underachieving schools, School Turnaround has made an impact on schools across the country. More importantly, School Turnaround is working to improve the academic performance of children and communities in chronically under-resourced areas. For change to seed deep roots, the change agents and capacity must be owned at the school and community level. Research is clear that when change lies in the hands of outsiders it will most certainly leave when the outsiders leave. To this end, School Turnaround acts as a catalyst and support, rather than owning the change like most organizations. By developing formal and informal leaders within schools, School Turnaround is creating long-term and sustainable improvement that will shape the lives of children for years to come.

Click these links for a sampling of School Turnaround's remarkable results and supporting research:

School Turnaround Logic Model
Turnarounds with New Leaders and Staff
Case Study: Turnaround at Washington Heights Elementary

See what our principals are saying about our results:

Class of 2003
Class of 2004
Class of 2005
Class of 2006
Class of 2007