Abstract
A growing body of research evaluates the effects of turnaround on chronically low-performing schools. We extend this literature by formally testing factors that may either mediate or suppress the effects of two turnaround initiatives in Tennessee: the Achievement School District (ASD) and local Innovation Zones (iZones). Using difference-in-differences models within a mediational framework, we find that hiring effective teachers and principals partially explains positive iZone effects. In the ASD, high levels of teacher turnover suppress potential positive effects. Also, in iZone schools, increased levels of student mobility and chronic absenteeism suppress potentially larger positive effects. Policies that increase capacity within turnaround schools, such as financial incentives for effective staff, appear to be important ingredients for realizing positive effects from turnaround reforms.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 232-256 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Journal | Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 1 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2020 AERA.
Funding
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Funding for this research was provided by the John and Laura Arnold Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation. However, any opinions or errors are solely attributable to us.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Laura and John Arnold Foundation | |
| Walton Family Foundation |
Keywords
- chronic absenteeism
- descriptive analysis
- educational policy
- educational reform
- mediation
- policy analysis
- program evaluation
- quasi-experimental analysis
- regression analyses
- school turnaround
- school/teacher effectiveness
- student mobility
- teacher/principal turnover
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education