Ten Cautionary Notes in Turnarounds

In this District Management Journal article, former Massachusetts superintendent Nathan Levenson lists ten mistakes to avoid in school turnaround efforts:

• Don’t think the first step is to develop a strategy. The first step should be to get great leaders and managers in place, and have them craft the turnaround plan.

• Don’t assume that the current leadership can turn things around. “Hoping that a new strategy given to existing leaders will overcome past disappointments may be optimistic thinking,” says Levenson.

• Don’t assume you must look outside for talent. Talented insiders may be hiding in plain sight, having avoided leadership roles or never having been given the opportunity to shine.

• Don’t get blinded by charisma when looking for leaders. Quiet, humble leaders can be highly effective.

• Don’t overlook management skills. “No matter how inspiring the leader, turning around a school or district requires great attention to detail,” says Levenson.

• Don’t make token efforts. Everything must be part of a focused, coherent, comprehensive strategy for change.

• Don’t mistake big, flashy initiatives for a comprehensive strategy. Ideas like merit pay, extended classroom time, and blended learning are seductive, but any program needs to be part of a comprehensive plan.

• Don’t forget to monitor implementation. “A good plan that is not implemented well yields no gains for students,” says Levenson. “Constantly checking for deep implementation can be the difference between success and failure.”

• Don’t be afraid to make adjustments. Good leaders assess, revise, and try again.

• Don’t stop searching for talent. Top performers often get promoted or hired away and the need for talent is ongoing.

“Turnaround Efforts: Lessons for All” by Nathan Levenson in The District Management Journal, Fall 2013 (Vol. 14, p. 22-23), www.dmcouncil.org 

From the Marshall Memo #511