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

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Barnes, K., & McKenzie, S. C. (2025). We Wanted to Do Something Innovative: Exploring Motivations of Arkansas Districts Adopting Four-Day School Weeks or Year-Round Calendars. Leaderships and Policy in Schools, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2025.2491438

Reports

Barnes, K., & McKenzie., S. (2025). Four-Day School Week Across State Lines: Insights on Attendance from Missouri and Arkansas. Education Report. PRiME Center, St. Louis University

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. 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.

Djita, R., Barnes, K., McKenzie, S. (2023). English Language Learners and Their Postsecondary Education Outcomes: Evidence from Arkansas. Working Paper. Department of Education Reform, 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., and Reid, C. (2022). Movin’ On Up: An Examination of Value-Added Growth During School Transition Years in Arkansas. Arkansas Education Report.

Radio Interviews & Press Mentions

A bill in the Arkansas Legislature threatens the future of four-day school weeks.
    Ozarks at Large

Smaller districts see some benefit of shorter weeks.
    Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Arkansas school district returns to 5-day school week calendar.
    THV11

No statistically significant results” from Solution Tree’s program according to recent study
    Ozarks at Large

Report on 7-year Arkansas education contract finds no significant gains; state considering $99.4M renewal.
    Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Education vendor Solution Tree abandons ship on hefty state contract.
    Arkansas Times

Solution Tree CEO requests that Arkansas Department of Education withdraw proposed contract from state’s review process.
    Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Report on 7-year Arkansas education contract finds no significant gains; state considering $99.4M renewal.
    Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Lincoln Consolidated School District trims school week to benefit mental health.
    Ozarks at Large

Why Schools Consider Four-Day Weeks.
    Ozarks at Large