Below are some some samples of my research. Please view my CV for the up-to-date versions of the research below!

Research & Media

Barnes, K., & McKenzie, S. (Under Review). We Wanted to Do Something Innovative: Exploring Motivations of Arkansas Districts Adopting Four-Day School Weeks or Year-Round Calendars. Leadership and Policy in Schools.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Barnes, K., & McKenzie, S. (2024). Professional Learning Communities and Student Outcomes: A Quantitative Analysis of the PLC at Work Model in Arkansas Schools. Arkansas Education Report. University of Arkansas. Office for Education Policy, University of Arkansas.

Barnes, K., & McKenzie, S. (2023). Exploring Academic Outcomes in Arkansas Schools: A Study of Four-Day School Week and Year-Round Calendar Districts. Arkansas Education Report. Office for Education Policy, University of Arkansas.

Barnes, K., & McKenzie, S. (2023). We Wanted to Do Something Innovative: Exploring Motivations of Arkansas Districts Adopting Four-Day School Weeks or Year-Round Calendars. Arkansas Education Report. Office for Education Policy, University of Arkansas.

Barnes, K., McKenzie, S., & Reid, C. (2022). Movin’ On Up: An Examination of Value-Added Growth During School Transition Years in Arkansas. Arkansas Education Report. Office for Education Policy, University of Arkansas.

Reports

Barnes, K. (2023, April 27). Opinion: Bold or Risky? Caution on Changing School Calendar. Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Barnes, K. (2023, March 8). Hot Topic: School Calendars.

Barnes, K. (2022, April 6). Building Transitions Lead to Lower Value-Added Growth for Middle-School Students.

Op-Eds and Blogs

Moore, M. (Reporter). (2024, June 27). No statistically significant results” from Solution Tree’s program according to recent study. In Ozarks at Large. KUAF, National Public Radio.

Snyder, J. (2024a, May 25). Report on 7-year Arkansas education contract finds no significant gains; state considering $99.4M renewal. Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Hardy, B. (2024, June 3). Education vendor Solution Tree abandons ship on hefty state contract. Arkansas Times.

Snyder, J. (2024b, June 3). Solution Tree CEO requests that Arkansas Department of Education withdraw proposed contract from state’s review process. Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Travis, J. (Reporter). (2023, November 22). Lincoln Consolidated School District trims school week to benefit mental health. In Ozarks at Large. KUAF, National Public Radio.

Kellams, K. (Director). (2023, March 3). Why Schools Consider Four-Day Weeks. In Ozarks at Large. KUAF, National Public Radio.

Radio Interviews & Press Mentions