Virginia’s Turnaround Specialist Program The National Policy Forum on Education Policy Education Commission of the States Minneapolis, MN July 13, 1006 Dr. Linda M. Wallinger Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Department of Education

Turnaround Specialist Program : 19 schools in 13 school divisions

Elements Common to Virginia’s Efforts to Turn Around Low-Performing Schools Strong instructional leadership Dedicated, knowledgeable, qualified teachers Instruction aligned to content standards Structured system of formative and summative assessment and evaluation A commitment to providing solid instruction for all students, with extra assistance for struggling students.

Turnaround Specialist Program Executive education and school leadership program to develop a cadre of school administrators who are trained to turn around low-performing schools Based on principles of both business and education management

Turnaround Specialist Program Developed and delivered by the University of Virginia Partnership for Leaders in Education  Microsoft Corporation joined as a partner in fall 2004 Educational Turnaround Specialist Credential  Outcome-based, three-level process  Credential awarded to 8 Turnaround Specialists in January 2006

Turnaround Specialist Program Eligible Schools  Have not been accredited or have not made Adequate Yearly Progress for at least three consecutive years Eligible Applicants  Energy  Action Premise  Results Oriented  Personal Responsibility  Reliance on Others  Knowledge and Love of Schools

Training Several training modules  For Turnaround Specialists, their school leadership teams, and central office leaders  Coursework, case studies, discussions founded in proven business and education management strategies

Support Network Turnaround Advisors  Assist in setting performance targets, developing strategies and providing support Web conferences Mid-Year and Year-End Assessment Conferences

Incentives Bonus - $5,000 upon completion of Level II credential Salary differential – percentage of prevailing salary in the school division Schoolwide incentive funding – State share of $50 per student

Cohort I Turnaround Specialist Program Schools Increased Student Achievement in Reading

Cohort I Turnaround Specialist Program Schools Increased Student Achievement in Mathematics

70% of Cohort I Turnaround Specialist Program Schools Made AYP in 2005

Cohort I Turnaround Specialist Program Schools Improved in English and Mathematics

Other Virginia Programs Targeting Low-Performing Schools Partnership for Achieving Successful Schools (PASS) Project Graduation School-Level Academic Reviews Division-Level Academic Reviews Virginia Middle School Teacher Corps Teacher Incentives in Hard-to-Staff Schools

For More Information Dr. Linda Wallinger Assistant Superintendent for Instruction (804) or