This paper presents proceedings from a 2001 working conference of the State and District Support to Low-Performing Schools initiative, which presented research-based strategies and exemplary practice to improve low-performing schools. The presentations focused on state and district systems of support to low-performing schools; use of data to support reform efforts (e.g., data retreats, data-based decision making, using data with parents, and data-driven improvement in learning and achievement); teacher quality, recruitment, and retention in low-performing districts/schools (e.g., school-university partnerships to prepare outstanding responsive teachers, special education approaches to improving professional development in literacy, and six essentials of whole school improvement); interagency collaboration in support of achievement of students in low-performing schools (e.g., a public-private partnership in South Carolina, Title I and IDEA collaboration, and health and human services collaboration); and literacy development approaches (e.g., talent development model, early literacy development for English language learners, and primary literacy standards). Two appendices present the meeting agenda and speaker biographies. (SM)