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Schools Targeted for Improvement Under ARRA

Many strategies focused on improving low-performing schools have been launched in recent years. Yet there is little research to document the strategies that work the best.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provided an additional $3 billion to fund aggressive school improvement efforts through the Title I School Improvement Grants (SIG). Grantee schools are implementing turnaround efforts that align with one of four interventions:

1. Turnaround model—replace the principal and at least 50 percent of the staff
2. Restart model—turn school over to a charter or education management organization
3. School closure—send students to higher achieving schools
4. Transformation model—replace the principal, extend learning time, revamp instructional programs, and other related strategies

Mathematica is working with the American Institutes for Research to document how schools are using SIG funds to implement the turnaround strategies. In 60 schools from 6 states, the study team is interviewing principals by telephone and surveying teachers. The team also will be conducting annual site visits to 25 of the 60 schools in each of 3 years and visiting an additional subset of schools to examine turnaround strategies in schools with large English Language Learner populations. The team is writing annual reports on schools’ efforts. Other subcontractors are Decision Information Resources, Inc., and Education Northwest.