How to put low-performing schools under strong pressure to improve without weakening them so they cannot improve. How to ensure that students are not left to flounder in a school that has little hope for improvement. Others require school improvement plans and fund general assistance, e.g., professional development, etc. Most states have viewed accountability in a rewards-penalties perspective that puts more emphasis on incentives and less on capacity building. States also vary in their approaches to providing assistance.
Most states make assistance mandatory for low-performing schools.
States are focusing more and more on how to provide assistance. While states have recognized the need to provide assistance, they are still learning how to help schools build capacity. Some states and local districts are recognizing that they lack capacity to provide specific assistance to schools in need. This means financial assistance and staffing. While 21 states have the authority to take some alternative action, very few are using them.