Sarah McKenzie

Sarah McKenzie is an Assistant Research Professor and Executive Director of the Office for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas, within the College of Education and Health Professions. Her work focuses on leveraging data-driven approaches to improve educational policies and practices, particularly in K-12 systems. She has extensive experience in teaching, district consulting, and presenting nationally/internationally on educational statistics. Her research emphasizes equity, assessment validity, and policy impacts on student outcomes, with a focus on Arkansas' education challenges and innovations.

Education: She holds a Ph.D. in Education Statistics and Research Methods (University of Arkansas, 2009), an M.A. in Early Childhood Education (Mills College, 1994), and a B.A. in Literature (Claremont McKenna College, 1992). Her professional experience spans pre-K to university-level teaching and policy advocacy.

Research Interests: Dr. McKenzie investigates chronic absenteeism, school scheduling reforms (e.g., four-day weeks), gifted identification disparities, AP course equity, discipline policy impacts, and PLC efficacy. She prioritizes actionable insights for educators and policymakers, emphasizing data transparency and community engagement.

Her recent work highlights trends in Arkansas education, including post-pandemic school challenges, charter school outcomes, and the role of socioeconomic factors in college enrollment. She collaborates with schools and districts to translate research into practice, ensuring policies address systemic inequities.

Labs/Teams: She leads the Office for Education Policy, a hub for applied research and policy analysis, partnering with state agencies and educational stakeholders to drive evidence-based reforms.