Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 7 of 7

Full-Text Articles in Education

Arkansas Teachers' Grading Practices And Implications, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Josh B. Mcgee Apr 2023

Arkansas Teachers' Grading Practices And Implications, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Josh B. Mcgee

Policy Briefs

In this brief, we assess current grading practices in Arkansas. We find teachers’ grading practices are inconsistent across the state. We suggest districts assess their grading practices and provide ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers to reflect on their grading practices.


A Longitudinal Study Of Gifted Status And Academic Growth, Sarah Mckenzie, Josh B. Mcgee, Charlene A. Reid, Bich Tran May 2021

A Longitudinal Study Of Gifted Status And Academic Growth, Sarah Mckenzie, Josh B. Mcgee, Charlene A. Reid, Bich Tran

Policy Briefs

In this brief, we assess the relationship between being identified as gifted and academic growth among students who scored at or above the 95th percentile on state assessments in third grade. We follow five independent cohorts of these high-achieving students through eighth grade. Using regression analysis controlling for student and district characteristics, we find that students who received gifted services demonstrated statistically significantly greater academic growth on mathematics and literacy achievement across the time period examined than similarly high achieving peers that were not identified as gifted.


Interview With Paul Gray: 2008 Arkansas Teacher Of The Year, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Gary W. Ritter Jul 2009

Interview With Paul Gray: 2008 Arkansas Teacher Of The Year, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Gary W. Ritter

Policy Briefs

The 2008 Arkansas Teacher of the Year was Paul Gray of Russellville. Mr. Gray is a social studies teacher and department chairman at Russellville High School.


Arra Spending On Education In Arkansas, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Gary W. Ritter Apr 2009

Arra Spending On Education In Arkansas, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Gary W. Ritter

Policy Briefs

The U.S. Department of Education (US DOE) recently issued guidance to the state departments of education regarding how to appropriately spend the $102 billion set aside for education in the American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The first payments of these funds were sent out to states inn March 2009.


The New Arkansas School Performance Report, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Gary W. Ritter Apr 2009

The New Arkansas School Performance Report, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Gary W. Ritter

Policy Briefs

The Arkansas Department of Education has just released the Arkansas School Performance Report, a yearly report on academic achievement in all of Arkansas’ schools.1 One important addition to the Report this year is an academic improvement rating for all elementary and middle schools in the state. This rating should be of interest to all school observers who desire more nuanced information about school and student performance than is provided in commonly used school performance indices, such as the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) rating. We applaud the Arkansas Department of Education for collecting and releasing this invaluable information on student growth.


President-Elect Obama’S Choice For Secretary Of Education: Arne Duncan, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Gary W. Ritter Dec 2008

President-Elect Obama’S Choice For Secretary Of Education: Arne Duncan, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Gary W. Ritter

Policy Briefs

Tuesday, December 16, President-elect Obama announced his choice for Secretary of Education: Arne Duncan.


Merit Pay: A Discussion On The Issues, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Gary W. Ritter Apr 2007

Merit Pay: A Discussion On The Issues, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Gary W. Ritter

Policy Briefs

Merit pay is a timely education policy issue being discussed by educators and legislators and in schools and statehouses across the country. Merit pay is a broad term used to describe a variety of incentive-based K-12 educator compensation plans. Given that the opposing sides of this controversial issue passionately argue its validity as a policy solution, how can policymakers decide whether to endorse such plans, and what does the research suggest are the features of effective plans? In an effort to educate policymakers about the issue in general and to assist interested parties in evaluating proposed merit pay programs, the …