Diagnostic Review and School Turnaround

Focus on success with a comprehensive diagnostic review to identify obstacles and advance achievement.

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Unlocking potential, achieving excellence

At Cognia, we believe in the power of transformation. The Cognia Diagnostic Review is designed to identify the root causes of performance discrepancies to align resources effectively and drive measurable change. For schools that need more intensive support, Cognia School Turnaround services extend beyond the review process to help leaders and educators put recommendations into practice.

Whether schools are refining their existing improvement plans or have been identified for comprehensive or targeted support, our thorough process provides valuable, unbiased perspectives on leading systemic change in complex educational environments.

Why choose Cognia?

Our approach is data-driven and tailored to the unique needs of each school. We have executed over 450 diagnostic reviews across 14 states and worked closely with educators to develop strategies that foster growth and improvement. With Cognia, schools can expect:

  • Alignment with the Cognia Performance Standards, trusted by more than 40,000 institutions to drive high-quality education
  • Comprehensive analysis of performance data, classroom observation results, and stakeholder surveys and interviews
  • Customized action plans
  • Ongoing resources, including leadership support and capacity building
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Our diagnostic reviews have a far-reaching impact

99%
of schools noticed improvement in their use of data to identify improvement needs and priorities
98%
of schools reported a strengthened sense of collective ownership and commitment to improvement among their communities
Read the findings of a Johns Hopkins University evaluation

Wondering if your institution could benefit from a Cognia Diagnostic Review?

Take this brief assessment to evaluate your readiness. You’ll reflect on your instructional capacity, improvement priorities, performance data, and organizational changes. Your responses will provide insight into your current improvement efforts and help determine whether a Cognia Diagnostic Review is the right next step.

Be a part of something bigger—join a diagnostic review team

Available in the United States ONLY

We’re looking for passionate, forward-thinking educators to join diagnostic review teams that visit select schools and provide focused, comprehensive assessments of how these schools engage with our rigorous Cognia Performance Standards and support student learning.

Educators rate their service on a review team as one of their most powerful professional development experiences because they:

  • Get an inside view: Observe other schools up close, work alongside experienced leaders, and see what works—and what doesn’t
  • Engage in empowering professional development: Gain powerful insights into instructional practices, leadership strategies, and school systems that can be immediately applied at home
  • Make a difference: Share your expertise to help schools improve outcomes for students
  • Earn CEUs: Fulfill requirements for continuing education units in a meaningful way
I'M INTERESTED
94%
of volunteers strongly agree that this experience provided high-quality PD

Be inspired by success stories from Cognia schools and systems

The dedication and commitment shown by the Cognia team have been instrumental in our schools' transformational journeys. Cognia's cooperative approach, tailored solutions, and continuous engagement with our educators have empowered us to overcome challenges and achieve remarkable progress. We are immensely grateful for their partnership and look forward to continued success in our mission to provide quality education to our all students regardless of the zip code.”
Thomas D. Rogers, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Memphis Shelby County Schools, Tennessee
In our district, we were seeing only marginal improvement, so we wanted to find any gaps in our instructional framework and maximize resources. The Cognia Diagnostic Review is the best process to help school leaders make decisions on what can impact student achievement.”
Dr. Shawn Johnson
Superintendent
Clarendon County Schools, South Carolina
[The Diagnostic Review] really made us look at ourselves—and look at ourselves realistically. We put in place non-negotiables.”
Kirsten Logan-Marshall
Principal
Lipscomb Elementary School, Jefferson County Schools, Alabama

Frequently asked questions

Cognia partners with schools and systems to identify strengths and areas of improvement, helping them build and maintain sustainable structures for continuous growth. This process gives schools a clear roadmap for turning potential into practice, focusing on targeted improvement priorities.

Cognia supports school leadership teams by guiding them through a meaningful internal assessment, which includes self-reflection, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. During the onsite diagnostic review, Cognia’s team of trained leaders conducts an intensive evaluation of organizational practices. Following this, tailored coaching is provided to help school leaders unpack the findings and develop strategic improvement and implementation plans.

Schools report strengthened leadership capacity, empowered teachers and students, improved instructional practices, increased stakeholder engagement, and consistent implementation of the institution's initiatives. These outcomes contribute to the school's overall effectiveness and sustainability.

Volunteering for a Cognia Diagnostic Review team gives U.S.-based educators an opportunity to support school improvement while gaining valuable professional development experience. Volunteers receive specialized training to prepare for the review process, collaborate with experienced educators, examine classroom instruction, school culture, and data, and earn continuing education benefits. Service involves participating in school reviews at assigned locations and working as part of a review team. While the experience is focused on professional growth and making an impact on student outcomes, details regarding specific time commitments, volunteer assignments, compensation, and expense coverage are provided by Cognia during the volunteer onboarding and placement process.

Cognia School Turnaround services are designed for public schools and districts seeking intensive support to improve student outcomes and accelerate school improvement efforts. While particularly valuable for schools identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI)—the federal designation for schools requiring the highest level of intervention and support—our turnaround services can also benefit schools identified for Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), schools experiencing persistent performance challenges, and districts seeking to strengthen leadership, instruction, and systems for sustained success. Cognia works alongside educators to identify root causes, implement evidence-based strategies, build capacity, and monitor progress toward measurable results.

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