Office for Education Policy Names McKenzie as Executive Director

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Sarah McKenzie

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy today announced that Sarah McKenzie has been named to a newly formed executive director position. McKenzie will spearhead the Office of Education Policy’s support to policy makers and education leaders in encouraging evidence-based decision-making.

“The executive director will serve along with me as OEP’s lead representatives to the policy and education communities,” said Gary Ritter, who began the Office of Education Policy in 2003 and will continue to steer the office as faculty director.  “For 11 years, OEP has aimed to support education leaders in Arkansas. Dr. McKenzie brings the expertise and passion to refine current programs, create new partnerships and continue to incorporate high quality data into education conversations. We are very excited about the combination of skills that Dr. McKenzie brings: Not only does she understand the top to bottom complexities of education, but she can also effectively communicate that knowledge to others.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Office for Education Policy as executive director,” said McKenzie. “One of the main lessons I have taken from 20 years of teaching in classrooms and working with educational leaders is that the best thing we can do for kids is use data wisely. By ensuring that high quality data are included in decision making, students receive the best education and funding efficiency is maximized.”

“OEP is always trying to determine what really works for Arkansas students,” said Jennifer Ash, managing director of the office. “Under Dr. McKenzie’s leadership OEP will expand program evaluation support to districts and help determine how to most effectively build student learning.”

Originally from Arizona, McKenzie most recently served as the director of assessment, accountability and research for Fayetteville Public Schools. McKenzie is a certified Phi Delta Kappa international curriculum auditor and has presented at conferences nationally and internationally on educational statistics. Previous experience includes the National Office for Research on Measurement and Evaluation Systems, Central’s Center for Children, and San Ramon Valley Unified School District in California. 

McKenzie received her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Arkansas in Educational Statistics and Research Methods in 2009 and was awarded a Walton Foundation Doctoral Fellowship Award. She received her Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Mills College in 1994 and her Bachelor of Arts in literature from Claremont McKenna College.  

About the Office For Education Policy:

Opened in the fall of 2003, the Office for Education Policy is one of several research centers within the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas; our staff includes faculty members, research associates and graduate students who specialize in education research and policy.

The Office for Education Policy provides current national, state, and regional education research to support state lawmakers and educators in thoughtful decision-making in PK-12 education in the State of Arkansas.