University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

School Turnaround Is: Quick – produces significant changes in operating

environment Dramatic – produces significant gains in achievement within

two-to-three years Sustained – creates a learning organization prepared for

long-term transformation Necessary – tweaks around the edges do not work in

persistently underperforming environments; urgency and boldness creates lasting change that matters.

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

Fundamental disruption in practices of school & district inspired by leadership

Willingness to rethink and redesign systems, starting with district

School Turnaround Requires:

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

FOUR SYSTEM LEVERS

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

A District Readiness Assessment

• Helps prepare districts for the Turnaround endeavor• Collects data from all levels of the organization• Identifies a district’s strengths and how they can be leveraged• Identifies issues that should be addressed• Identifies areas that would benefit from piloting or changing practice

to effectively prioritize and drive bold change in turnaround schools, including collective commitments each organization will make

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

Talent Management

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

Rethink Talent Attraction & Cultivation

Reexamine HR Policies & Practice

and Address Teacher Underperformance

Leverage Turnaround Purpose & Support

Structures to Recruit

Construct Strong School Leadership

Teams

Devote Resources to Hire Intentionally

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

Differentiated Support and Accountability

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

Support and Accountability Areas Observed in Readiness Assessment

Leadership coaching and

development that impacts practice

School accountability

around practices that matter

Strategic and tailored resource

allocation and rapid response

Defined authority to drive change

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

Leadership

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

Engage System Stakeholders

Publicly commit to success and purpose

Identify initiative focus areas

Engage board to align resources to

identified focus areas

Consistently & clearly communicate

change is not optional

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

Engage Community Stakeholders

Provide stark look at current performance

Create a vision for the future

Publicize “early wins”

Seek engagement with high-

leverage needs

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

Instructional Infrastructure

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

Use Assessments Thoughtfully:

Clarify purpose of assessments and expectations for

pacing

Build capacity to understand rigor

Build capacity to find value in using

the data

Do not have too many centrally

required assessments

University of Virginia School Turnaround Program

Additional Implications for SEA and District Collaboration

• When systems are primed for school support, turnaround becomes a much more achievable goal.

• SEA leaders can encourage the districts to use the four key levers outlined earlier as anchors during their discussions and planning for school improvement within their particular contexts. Districts may not be able to best identify and develop solutions in isolation without the SEA’s or another entity’s guidance – we could all use an outside eye.

• Turnaround systems need actively engaged leaders at all levels who take the initiative to remove traditional bureaucratic barriers for improvement.

• SEAs and regional entities can help districts organize to meet schools’ needs through adjusting systems, procedures, and practices.