Fast Turnaround: Transforming Low-Performing Schools Into Successful Learning Environments

According to a recent estimate by the U.S. Department of Education, approximately 2,300 schools across the nation have failed to meet adequate yearly progress for five consecutive years. These schools require immediate attention and action to ensure that every child receives the high-quality education required for success in an increasingly complex economic and political environment.

This forum used “Turning Around Chronically Low-Performing Schools,” a recent evidence-based practice guide issued by the Institute of Education Sciences, as a springboard to generate discussion on how to improve low-performing schools quickly. The conversation highlighted successes, challenges, and recommendations to inform education policy and practice on the national, state, and local levels. Forum participants had the opportunity to hear from and interact with a range of presenters including an education researcher on school improvement issues, a representative of our nations’ urban schools systems, and a principal who has led successful school improvement efforts from “in the trenches.”

When: Thursday, June 5, 11:45 AM – 1:30 PM

             Lunch will be served at 11:45 AM and the program will begin at Noon.

Where: U.S. Capitol Building, Room HC-5

Audio files and an event summary will be available soon. 

Read the Practice Guide, "Turning Around Chronically Low-Performinc Schools."

Panelists:

•   Dr. Priscilla Dawson, an urban principal with over 18 years of first-hand experience in building higher achieving schools

•   Dr. Sam Redding, Executive Director of the Academic Development Institute and Director of the National Center on Innovation & Improvement

•   Dr. Jason Snipes, Research Director of the Council of the Great City Schools

Moderator: Steve Fleischman, Director of the SEE Forums and Vice President, American Institutes for Research

Guided Forum Question:

To promote maximum dialogue at the forum, we asked participants to consider the following question in advance and come prepared to share their responses.

What three or four critical actions must be taken by a district or the staff of a chronically low-performing school in order to turn it around quickly?

Congressman Mike Honda is the honorary host for this forum.