District Leaders Archives - Instructional Empowerment

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.

District Leaders School Leaders

The Turnaround Trap: Why Quick Fixes Fail Students

Original research and insights to build the systems for school improvement.

instructionalempowermentAugust 28, 2026

About 8 school leaders standing in a group analyzing comprehensive needs assessment data with the SIMM framework at Nixon Elementary School, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

District Leaders School Leaders

What Does Quality Data Look Like in a Comprehensive Needs Assessment?

Access to research-validated, actionable data empowers leaders to drive lasting school improvement.

instructionalempowermentJuly 16, 2026

District Leaders School Leaders

Are You Identifying Root Causes—or Just Symptoms?

This diagnostic tool helps school and district leaders evaluate the impact of their comprehensive needs…

instructionalempowermentJune 15, 2026

School Leaders District Leaders

Webinar Recording: Insights from 250,000 Classroom Walkthroughs

Two former district leaders reveal what actually raises student achievement.

instructionalempowermentApril 22, 2026

District Leaders School Leaders

Classroom Walkthrough Impact Checklist

Data alone doesn't improve achievement. Use this checklist to assess the impact of your walkthroughs.

Jentri FuleMarch 26, 2026

Four elementary age students sit on the floor of the classroom, working collaboratively as they write and use Agree/Disagree cards from the Model of Instruction for Deeper Learning, which increases academic rigor and can be monitored via walkthroughs using the RigorWalk tool to ensure schools are on track to raise achievement.

District Leaders School Leaders

How Cedar Rapids Raised Rigor and Student Achievement in One Year

A districtwide case study of RigorWalk in action.

Jentri FuleMarch 6, 2026