Virginia state officials selected the University of Virginia to run a training program that will let an experienced school leader earn a credential as a "turnaround specialist." This strategy, borrowed from the corporate world, is meant to form an elite cadre of school leaders that are able to jump-start improvement in low-performing schools. This article discusses the need for the program and describes similar plans in states around the U.S. Despite plans to recruit just 10 principals, state officials said they view the program as a pilot that could be expanded.