Biography

Dr. Kenneth Alonzo Anderson, a former middle school teacher, earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, with a minor in Educational Research and Policy Analysis from North Carolina State University in 2005. Anderson is Associate Provost of Undergraduate Studies and Professor in the School of Education at Howard University. Anderson also served as Senior Research Scientist with the CNA's Institute for Public Research.

Anderson’s primary research interests include using statistical models, data science, and machine learning algorithms to examine school safety, student success, education finance, and other education policies and practices that aim to improve schools. Computational mathematics interests include dynamical systems, optimization, stochastic processes, artificial intelligence, and natural language processing.

Anderson is noted for his ability to conduct large-scale data analysis, translate results, and provide professional development for practitioners and policymakers. Anderson was invited by the National Institute of Justice to serve as a contributor on a report to Congress on school policing. Working through the United States Department of Education’s Regional Education Laboratory (REL) Appalachia, Anderson served as Principal Investigator on a longitudinal, statewide disciplinary data analysis project with the Virginia Department of Education to inform strategies for minimizing suspensions and referrals to law enforcement.

Anderson co-authored a policy brief on school safety and SROs and his research has appeared in journals such as Journal of Teacher Education, Teachers College Record, Middle Grades Review, Journal of Negro Education, and Journal of Computer Science Integration. Anderson also conducted a statewide evaluation of the relationship between increased use of school resource officers and school safety outcomes. Anderson has served as Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigator, or Senior Personnel on externally funded projects from organizations such as the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and the American Educational Research Association.