Hello, I'm
Sarah Morris.
Education Policy PhD Candidate + Grading Researcher
Education Policy, Ph.D.
University of Arkansas, 2024
Advanced Secondary Education, M.Ed.
East Tennessee State University, 2019
Mathematics, B.S.
King University, 2016
My name is Sarah Morris.
I'm a third-year doctoral candidate at The University of Arkansas, specializing in equitable grading practices and ninth-grade outcomes. As a graduate assistant and nominated Strategic Data Partner, I collaborate with Northwest Arkansas superintendents, bridging academic research with practical education. With my background as a middle-grades math teacher, I contribute actionable insights to the We Are Teachers platform and provide professional development in Arkansas schools on grading equity.
I am an East Tennesseean passionate about equitable education for economically disadvantaged students.
As a Tennessee native with an advanced education and rigorous training from a nationally ranked program, I am dedicated to advocating for equitable education. I focus on uplifting and supporting the aspirations of economically disadvantaged students and schools, a community close to my heart.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed (9 in review):
Can Offering More Grade Control Improve Middle School Students’ Motivation?
Examining Teacher Support for Grading Equity
Teen Mothers Forgotten: The Gap Between High School and Higher Education
Grading Between the Locales: Socioeconomic Status and NInth-Grade Course Failures
Research-Practice Partnership:
Examining Arkansas’ Freshman GPA’s and Long-Term Outcomes
Arkansas High School Freshmen Course Failures
Arkansas’s 9th Grade Course Failures and Building Configurations
A Glimpse into Arkansas Teachers’ Grading Practices
Freshman Course Credit and Unexcused Absences: An Arkansas Policy Analysis
Course Correction: Navigating Equity in Ninth-Grade Advanced Placement
Radio/Podcasts
Ozarks at Large, NPR
Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud
What Others Say About Working With Me
"Sarah is a very self-motivated student, who is hard-working, reliable and holds herself to a high standard of quality. She has strong research and data analysis skills.”
- Dr. Sarah McKenzie
Executive Director, Office for Education Policy
“Sarah is a go-getter. She fearlessly meets every challenge placed before her with intelligence and energy. Every project benefits from her involvement.
- Dr. Pat Wolf
"Sarah’s written work has always shown insight, reflecting a keen mind combined with years of school experience. Unlike so many in the field, Sarah shows no fear. Optimism goes a long way. Sarah also distinguishes herself from her peers by identifying and acting on applied research questions important to educators but largely ignored in academia.”
- Dr. Robert Maranto
University of Arkansas, Leadership, Endowed Chair
Department Head, Education Reform
Comments from Arkansas Stakeholders through RPP work
“This data and information is some of the best stuff we have. This is one more piece of information that helps to clarify where our schools are.”
“You have really helped us out with understanding and thinking through our data.”
“The data is meaningful, timely, and typically comes with recommendations as to how we should move forward.”
"”We routinely use your data in group meetings with principals to guide the conversation or lead us to the next question for our work. The data you share and present challenges us to improve in a variety of areas that may or may not have been on everyone's radar prior to your inquiry. Your work is important because we don't have enough time and enough analysts to do it all alone. We appreciate that you will explore deeper sometimes to answer our follow-up questions and you take our calls. Members of the OEP staff truly are integral, collaborative team members in our work.”
Get in Touch
Email:
srm041@uark.edu
sarahruth16morris@gmail.com
Mobile:
423-963-8487
Office address:
Department of Education Reform
Room 211, Graduate Education Building
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Follow me on social media
