Giving Compass' Take:

• Matt Barnum reports that many school turnaround efforts by private groups have failed to show significant improvement in student achievement. 

• How can funders help to increase the percentage of turnaround efforts that are properly evaluated? How can we learn from the data that already exists?

• Learn more about the need for data-driven education systems. 

School improvement programs have sprouted up around the country to help turn around long-struggling schools. And the money that comes with that has also spurred the growth of external groups offering their services to schools.

But there’s little evidence on whether that school improvement industry, paid for by taxpayers, is actually boosting student learning, according to a study of 151 turnaround providers endorsed by various state agencies.

It’s a striking finding in light of the significant role third-party groups play in supporting these efforts. But it’s not entirely surprising, considering the disappointing (albeit still debated) track record of turnaround efforts across the country, and anecdotal reports that providers with little experience emerged once the spigot of federal dollars was turned on.

There’s also a less damning explanation: Research is expensive and difficult to undertake. Programs may be successful, even if no study exists to prove it.

Still, the results raise questions about the role of third-party turnaround providers, which may continue as federal education law requires turnaround efforts in each state’s lowest performing 5 percent of schools.

Read the full article about private groups' school turnaround efforts by Matt Barnum at Chalkbeat.