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From School Turnaround to Thriving in 24 Months

The only research-validated partnership that quickly moves schools out of accountability—and further than any other approach.

  1. Rapidly stabilize culture, behavior, and instruction
  2. Raise achievement, engagement, and attendance
  3. Strengthen family confidence and increase enrollment
  4. Build systems and capacity that prevent regression

Proven results across various districts and states:

Double-digit achievement gains | 300–600 fewer discipline referrals | Teacher retention up to 97%

A school turnaround leader stands near the desks of a team of six students who are engaged in an academic conversation.

Talk with an Expert Turnaround Leader

Connect with Stephanie Terrell, Ed.S. to discuss your schools and outline a 12–24-month plan.  As a former principal and Instructional Empowerment national turnaround coach, she brings a track record of moving schools out of turnaround status.

Why Most Turnaround Approaches Lead to Regression

In most cases, schools exit accountability status only to fall back within a few years.

Why?

  • They target symptoms, not root causes
    Programs and interventions plateau and leave low-rigor Tier 1 instruction unchanged.
  • They don’t build internal capacity
    Progress depends on external support instead of developing teachers and leaders with instructional systems.
  • They lack systems to sustain progress
    Blind spots remain with no consistent way to gather real-time data and keep improving.

The result is a predictable cycle of gains and decline. 

Just exiting turnaround isn’t the goal. Staying out and thriving is.

Hear Instructional Empowerment’s founder and CEO, Michael Toth, explain why systems-based work empowers schools to improve student outcomes.

Read: The Turnaround Trap

Research insights and district examples on why short-term gains fade—and what distinguishes schools that sustain improvement.

Front cover of the report on school turnaround called "The Turnaround Trap: why Quick Fixes Fail Students" showing dim lightbulbs with one bright lightbulb to signify a new approach and strategy for turnaround.

Go Further and Faster with Proven Turnaround Results

  • Rapidly Exit Turnaround
    Track record of improvement within one year, including double-digit achievement gains, stronger attendance, and fewer behavior incidents.
  • A Higher Standard of Evidence
    Validated through applied research, peer-reviewed studies, and predictive metrics that show impact on student outcomes in real time.
  • Built for Lasting Success
    Strengthen your capacity with expert guidance and instructional systems so improvement continues after turnaround.
  • Strengthens Your Existing Work
    Aligns with your curriculum and priorities while advancing your systems to a higher level of performance.
  • Rebuild Enrollment and Community Confidence
    Create a school where families want to enroll, attend, and stay—driving long-term stability and growth.
Graph with the title "From persistently low achievement scores to highest 6% in state" math achievement increased from 22% to 62% an ELA achievement increased from 18% to 41% from 2018 to 2021.

See the Turnaround Case Studies

Two figures, each with two arrows, both showing a relationship between higher rigor appraisal scores and lower student behavior referrals and suspension. Each set shows the statistical significance, which is indicated as very strong for both. Behavior referrals is -.730 and suspensions is -6.36, negative indicating a higher scores meant fewer negative behavior incidents.

See the Turnaround Research Validation

Three Phases to Exit Turnaround and Thrive

Our turnaround partnerships move schools through three phases within 24 months. Each phase is designed to deliver immediate and verifiable results while building toward long-term success. 

Image showing the three phases from school turnaround to thriving. starting image is bleak and gray of the front of the school. Phase 1: Stabilize shows order and structure beginning. Phase 2: accelerate shows growth and momentum as school turnaround starts improving and students, teachers, leaders, parents, and community become more engaged. Phase 3: sustain and thrive shows the energy, pride, and student ownership of a transformed school with students collaborating and the entire community celebrating the transformation.

Phase 1: Stabilize

(Year 1, Semester 1)

Create the conditions for rapid improvement

Outcomes:

  • Reduction in disruptions and behavior incidents
  • Clear, consistent schoolwide systems
  • Staff aligned around routines and priorities
  • Leaders use real-time data to identify areas for growth to support schoolwide systems

Phase 2: Accelerate

(Year 1, Semester 2)

Drive measurable academic improvement

Outcomes:

  • Achievement and academic growth 
  • Students engaged across classrooms 
  • Leaders use schoolwide trend data to identify areas for improvement to support classroom instruction
  • PLCs focus on learning not logistics
  • Rigorous, standards-aligned planning

Phase 3: Sustain & Thrive

(Year 2)

Build a high-performing, in-demand school

Outcomes:

  • Continued growth across all student groups 
  • Students demonstrate independent thinking and ownership 
  • Strong culture and staff retention 
  • Increased family confidence and enrollment demand

We’re already approved in many states—check your eligibility →

What Leaders Are Saying About Our School Turnaround Partnerships

Partners in Success 

“Each time I collaborate with Instructional Empowerment, I walk away from the meeting feeling that they’re just as invested in the success of our schools as we are.“

Brandon C. White, Ph.D.
Harvard Community Unit School District 50 Superintendent

Hitting the Ground Running

“It really felt like the Instructional Empowerment coaches were part of our school’s team. I was able to hit the ground running and be excited for this upcoming school year with a clear, precise plan.”

Dee Ramos
School Leader, Colorado Springs School District 11, CO

Not Another Program 

“One of the things that drew us to this partnership was that it was not program-based. Over time, we could substitute or replace curriculum materials or different programs but the practices would remain because the partnership helps to change educators’ way of work, their classroom practices, and their expectations for students.“

Jonathann Hinke
Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, Putnam County School District

Photo of Stephanie Terrell, Ed.S, Executive Director of School Transformation for Instructional Empowerment.

See What This Could Look Like in Your Schools

Stephanie Terrell, Ed.S., Executive Director of School Transformation, brings more than 30 years of experience as a former principal and national turnaround leader, helping districts move their schools from turnaround to thriving. Schedule time with Stephanie to ask questions, explore options and move toward lasting improvement.