The Turnaround Mindset

This book provides a valuable balance between what one must know and what one must do to turn around low-performing schools. The 3-E framework simplifies this complex process by focusing resources on the environment, the executive, and the execution of the turnaround plan. Central to each of these components is a spotlight on the values supporting change and an examination of the unique perspectives and actions required at the school, district and state levels in renewing chronically underperforming schools.
A set of case studies on individuals who have led successful turnarounds of schools gives life to the theoretical concepts. These cases focus on the principal as turnaround specialist, offering leadership profiles from their varied perspectives and demonstrate the resilience of these leaders across settings and challenges. The book concludes with a discussion of how the developing field of school turnarounds affects educational policy in the K-12 and higher education arenas.

Tierney Temple Fairchild is the former executive director of the Darden/Curry Partnership for Leaders in Education and served as the lead consultant for EduLead, the developer of the blueprint for the Louisiana School Turnaround Specialist program, which began implementation in 2010.
Jo Lynne DeMary is the former state superintendent of public instruction for Virginia under Governor Jim Gilmore and Governor Mark Warner. She was the first female to serve in that position.

Chapter 1 Foreword: U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner, former Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia
Chapter 2 Introduction
Part 3 Section I: Engaging in School Turnarounds
Chapter 4 Chapter 1: The National Landscape
Chapter 5 Chapter 2: Approaches to Turnaround
Chapter 6 Chapter 3: Understanding Turnarounds: Research Highlights
Part 7 Section II: A Critical Path to School Turnarounds
Chapter 8 Chapter 4: Approaching Turnarounds with a 2S Model: Systems and Stakeholders
Chapter 9 Chapter 5: The 3Es of School Turnarounds: Environment, Executive, and Execution
Chapter 10 Chapter 6: Leveraging Management Tools
Part 11 Section III: Turnaround Leadership in Action
Chapter 12 Chapter 7: Consistency and Compassion in the Face of Chaos
Chapter 13 Ms. Aretha Eldridge-Williams at Kate Middleton Elementary School (Gretna, LA)
Chapter 14 Chapter 8: Systems, Structures and A Spatula: Building a Community of Scholars
Chapter 15 Ms. Camille Wallin at P.S. 42-Claremont Community School (Bronx, NY)
Chapter 16 Chapter 9: Walking in a Turnaround Leader's Shoes: Believing is Achieving
Chapter 17 Ms. J. Harrison Coleman at Fred M. Lynn Middle School (Woodbridge, VA)
Chapter 18 Chapter 10: Inspiring Success through Student and Teacher Empowerment
Chapter 19 Ms. Tanya John at the High School for Violin and Dance (Bronx, NY)
Part 20 Section IV: Policy Essentials for Turnaround Leaders
Chapter 21 Chapter 11: Policy Imperatives to Bring Turnarounds to Scale