School Turnarounds CrossSector Research Evidence from Chicago Chairs

School Turnarounds: Cross-Sector Research & Evidence from Chicago Chairs: • Julie Kowal, Public Impact • Lauren Morando Rhim, Public Impact; Center on Innovation & Improvement

OVERVIEW l Successful Turnarounds: The Cross-Sector Evidence – – l l Leader actions Environmental support Background on the turnaround initiative in Chicago, 2006 -2008 Perspectives from Chicago: – – – Early Wins Replacing Staff District Support

SUCCESSFUL TURNAROUNDS: CROSS-SECTOR EVIDENCE SOURCES • Literature related to turning around lowperforming organizations • University of Virginia School Turnaround Specialist Program --Interviews with national experts and turnaround specialists • Field Research in Chicago and Philadelphia

WHAT IS A TURNAROUND? Documented Quick Dramatic Sustained Change in the Performance of an Organization

OVERVIEW Failing Schools Can Be Turned Around

OVERVIEW School Leaders Matter

OVERVIEW Environmental Context is Critical

LEADER ACTIONS Specific Leader Actions Lead To Dramatic Change

EARLY WINS Concentrate on Early Visible Meaningful Wins

LEADER ACTIONS Deviate from Norms to Get the Job Done

LEADER ACTIONS Analyze and Problem-Solve

LEADER ACTIONS Drive for Results

LEADER ACTIONS Influence Inside and Outside

LEADER ACTIONS Measure and Report

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT Environmental Context is Critical

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT Recruiting & Selecting Leaders

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT Timing Matters Planning Implementing Sustaining

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT Freedom to Act (aka “the big Yes”)

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT Develop Supportive & Aligned Systems

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT Engage the Community

Failing Schools Can Be Turned Around Strong School Leader Engaged in Actions that Foster Dramatic Change Environment Conducive to Positive Change School Turnaround

CHICAGO’S SCHOOL TURNAROUND INITIATIVE 2006 -08 l Turn around 6 of the city’s lowest-performing schools – – l 5 schools began in 2006 -07 1 school began in 2007 -08 Using parallel strategies: – – 4 overseen by the Chief Education Office (CEd. O) 2 overseen by the Office of New Schools (ONS) and operated in partnership with the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL)

CHICAGO’S SCHOOL TURNAROUND INITIATIVE 2006 -08 Chicago Public Schools Office of New Schools Academy for Urban School Leadership Sherman School of Excellence Harvard ES Chief Education Office Earle Elementary Ames MS Medill ES Jackson ES

PARALLEL STRATEGIES Differences with regard to oversight, training and staffing: CEd. O ONS Schools managed by AUSL Oversight Traditional district structure; support from additional consultant None specific to turnaround Training Univ. of VA School Turnaround Specialist Program Staffing Principals may fill vacancies but followed contract and traditional regulations for terminations Received authority to require the entire teaching staff to reapply for their jobs

SHERMAN & EARLE: BACKGROUND Sherman School of Excellence • • Pre. K-8 617 students 94% FRPL 30. 7 % proficient in reading; 26. 4% in math in 2005 -06 Earle Elementary School • • Pre. K-8 487 students 96% FRPL 34. 3% proficient in reading; 30. 3% in math in 2005 -06

EVIDENCE FROM CHICAGO Early Wins Replacing Staff District Support

RESOURCES • School Restructuring Handbook (2007). Center on Innovation & Improvement. www. centerii. org/restructuring/ • School Turnarounds: A Review of the Cross-Sector Evidence on Dramatic Organizational Improvement (2007). www. centerii. org/restructuring/resources/turnarounds. html • School Turnarounds: Actions And Results. (2008) www. centerii. org/restructuring/resources/turnarounds. html • School Restructuring Under No Child Left Behind: What Works When? A Guide for Educational Leaders (2006). www. centerforcsri. org/files/Restructuring. Guide. pdf

Contact Information • • • Sam Redding, sredding@centerii. org Marilyn Murphy, mmurphy@centerii. org Julie Kowal, julie_kowal@publicimpact. com Lauren Rhim, lauren_rhim@publicimpact. com Adrian Willis, agwillis@cps. k 12. il. us Lionel Allen, leallen@cps. edu Visit the CII website at www. centerii. org