What can alone turn schools around according to the text?

The correct answer is that a research-based curriculum is essential for turning schools around. A research-based curriculum is built on effective practices that have been proven to enhance student learning outcomes. It incorporates evidence from educational research, ensuring that the instructional strategies employed are effective in addressing diverse learning needs and fostering academic achievement.

In contrast, while increased funding can provide resources to implement programs or improve facilities, it does not guarantee that the educational strategies used will be effective. Parental involvement is certainly beneficial and can have a positive impact on student success, but it alone cannot drive systemic educational change without a strong curriculum to guide instruction. Standardized testing, while helpful for assessment purposes, does not in itself provide the necessary framework for teaching and learning that a research-based curriculum does. Thus, the emphasis on a research-based curriculum highlights the importance of content and instructional quality in transforming schools.