A Three-Part Professional Learning Module

Leading school turnarounds is difficult work that requires specific competencies. This three-part professional learning module, developed through a partnership between the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders, the Center on School Turnaround, Public Impact, and the University of Virginia Darden/Curry Partnership for Leaders in Education, provides state and district leaders with tools to identify and apply turnaround leader competencies to the selection and development of school turnaround leaders.

The module is divided into three parts:

1. Understanding Turnaround Leader Competencies,
2. Recruiting and Selecting Turnaround Leaders, and
3. Developing and Supporting Turnaround Leaders.

Materials for each part include a facilitator’s guide, a PowerPoint presentation, and handouts.

These materials may be used and adapted to fit the needs of the state and local context. To cite the content, please use the following statement: These materials have been adapted in whole or in part with permission from the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders, the Center on School Turnaround at WestEd, Public Impact, and the University of Virginia Darden/Curry Partnership for Leaders in Education.

Part 1: Understanding Turnaround Leader Competencies

Part 1 of this module focuses on the challenge of leading school turnaround and leader competencies and actions associated with turnaround success.

Session Outcomes:

• Acknowledge the unique challenges of leading school turnaround
• Identify leader competencies and actions associated with turnaround success
• Understand the importance of competencies in turnaround leader selection and development
• Analyze school leader behaviors to identify evidence of competencies

Part 1: Facilitator’s Guide | Part 1: Handouts | Part 1: Presentation Slides

Part 2: Recruiting and Selecting Turnaround Leaders

Part 2 of this module focuses on using turnaround leader competencies to identify, recruit, and select school turnaround leaders.

Session Outcomes:

• Understand the importance of competencies in recruiting and selecting turnaround leaders
• Explore ways to recruit leaders with competencies to turn around persistently low-performing schools
• Experience a competency-based interview and selection process for turnaround leaders

Part 2: Facilitator’s Guide | Part 2: Handouts | Part 2: Presentation Slides

Part 3: Developing and Supporting Turnaround Leaders

Part 3 of this module focuses on how districts can support and develop turnaround leader competencies.

Session Outcomes:

• Understand the district’s role in developing and supporting turnaround leaders
• Examine high-quality adult learning and implications for competency-based development of turnaround principals
• Explore how districts can leverage principal supervisors and others to increase turnaround principal competencies

Part 3: Facilitator’s Guide | Part 3: Handouts | Part 3: Presentation Slides