ARKEN RESEARCH
ARKEN offers evaluation services that empower organizations to ASSESS, TRANSFORM, and SUSTAIN their implementation and impact.
About Dr. Danks
Shelby Danks, Ph.D. is the Founder and Principal Advisor at ARKEN RESEARCH. She served as an impact executive and principal investigator for two edtech companies and as a principal research consultant. She has a PhD in Learning Technologies with an emphasis in Measurement and Statistics.
Dr. Danks has 10+ years experience on the Board of Examiners for the National Baldrige Excellence Program, Panel of Judges/Examiner for the Quality Texas Foundation, Board of Examiners for the Missouri Quality Award, Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, and as an accreditation reviewer for AdvancED.
Recent Implementation and Impact Frameworks Developed by Dr. Danks
| Year | Name of Rubric, Tool, or Framework | Role | Client or Employer |
| 2025 | LearnPlatform Role-based Systems Implementation Tool | Lead developer and evaluator | LearnPlatform by Instructure |
| 2024 | Mathematics HQIM Class Visits Implementation Tool for Grades K-8 | Lead developer and trainer | New York City Public Schools |
| 2024 | Partnership for Los Angeles Schools: High-Quality Instructional Materials Implementation Tool: Literacy | Lead adaptor and facilitator | Partnership for LA Schools |
| 2024 | Partnership for Los Angeles Schools: High-Quality Instructional Materials Implementation Tool: Mathematics | Lead adatpor and facilitator | Partnership for LA Schools |
| 2020 | ARKEN Implementation Checkup (systems implementation self-reflection tool) | Lead developer and facilitator | ARKEN ACADEMY |
| 2020 | Reading Horizons Implementation Integrity Rubric (RHIIR) (observation tools) | Lead developer and facilitator | Reading Horizons |
| 2019 | Illustrative Mathematics Implementation Reflection Tool (IM IRT) ) (for Grades K-5 and for Grades 6-12) (tool containing indicators for leaders, planning teams, and observations for self-reflection and professional development) | Lead developer and facilitator | Illustrative Mathematics |
| 2019 | Illustrative Mathematics Student Mathematical Flourishing Rubric (self-reflection tool) | Lead developer and facilitator | Illustrative Mathematics |
| 2018 | Raising Blended Learners Implementation Tool (classroom observation and teacher self-reflection tool) | Lead developer and facilitator | Raise Your Hand Texas |
| 2018 | Principles of High-Quality ESL/Bilingual Instruction (observation rubrics with 5 indicators) | Lead adaptor | Arlington ISD |
| 2018 | Music for All Student Leadership Framework (self-assessment tool) | Lead designer and researcher | Music for All |
| 2017 | PBL Leadership Rubric for Deeper Learning (leadership self-reflection tool for leadership teams) | Lead adaptor and researcher/validator | PBL Works |
| 2017 | William Paterson College of Education Program Assessment and Teaching Rubric (tool to evaluate coursework and teaching practices) | Lead developer and workshop facilitator | William Paterson College of Education |
| 2017 | Culturally Responsive Teaching Rubric (observation tool) | Lead tool developer and supporting researcher | New Schools for New Orleans |
| 2016 | Systems Assessment Rubric (based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework) (leadership self-reflection tool) | Lead tool adaptor; translated criteria into framework | University of North Texas |