Areas of Expertise : Good Behavior Game
AIR Experts in Education Guide (PDF)
Behavior in the Educational Setting
AIR conducts research and evaluation, synthesizes information, and provides technical assistance regarding positive behavioral and relational approaches to student behavior and school discipline. AIR staff use research to identify effective and ineffective approaches, and to study and support the scale–up and alignment of evidence- and theory-based approaches. AIR’s foci include individual, classroom-based, school-wide, and community-supported approaches to improving student behavior and school discipline.
Recent Reports
- NIDA Notes: Behavior Game Reduces Later Drug-Related Problems
- Student Victimization in U.S. Public Schools: Results from the 2005 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey
- Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2007
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Recent Projects
- Anchorage Social and Emotional Learning and School Climate Analysis
- Center for Integrating Education and Prevention Research (EdPrev)
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Recent Products
Behavior Modeling
AIR’s applied behavioral modeling work provides scientific support to programs investigating asymmetric conflicts, behavioral threat detection, and emergency response. We support these initiatives by:
- applying statistical and measurement techniques,
- broadening the scope of the scientific basis for addressing these problems,
- evaluating research programs against best practices,
- implementing high quality database development procedures, and
- creating unique experimental designs to answer key behavioral research questions.
Recent Reports
- NIDA Notes: Behavior Game Reduces Later Drug-Related Problems
- Building Capacity: An Evaluation of Florida Literacy and Reading Excellence (FLaRE) Professional Development to High Schools
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Recent Projects
Recent Products
Classroom Instruction
Understanding and improving classroom instruction is a central component of many of AIR’s evaluation and technical assistance projects. AIR designs high- and low-inference classroom observation tools and, using highly trained observers, conducts observations in a variety of classroom settings. Data on classroom instruction are integrated into recommendations for improving schools and classrooms.
Recent Reports
- Study of Teacher Preparation in Early Reading Instruction
- Expectations and Reports of Homework for Public School Students in the First, Third, and Fifth Grades
- Impact of Two Professional Development Interventions on Early Reading Instruction and Achievement Report
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Recent Projects
- Wisconsin Reading Excellence and Demonstration of Success Initiative (READS)
- Indiana Diagnostic Assessments Study
- Ohio Healthy Schools Profile System
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Recent Products
Conditions for Learning
Successful schools must create and maintain effective conditions for learning. Such conditions have historically been regarded as including high-quality pedagogy, well-trained teachers, adequate resources, and effective leadership. AIR has proposed that educators also examine the social and emotional conditions for learning—the factors that ensure students feel safe and supported in school. AIR conducts research and evaluation, designs and analyzes surveys, synthesizes information, develops tools to improve, and provides consultation and technical assistance regarding student and teacher perceptions of safety, support, and connectedness; academic challenge and engagement; and individual and peer social emotional learning. AIR’s work is both national and international and includes consultation with districts, states, federal officials, and Ministries of Education regarding how to monitor and improve conditions for learning and teaching.
Recent Reports
- Wisconsin Culturally Responsive Education for All (CREATE) Initiative - Training and Enhancement Initiative
- Texas Principal Excellence Program (TxPEP)
- Student Connection Research: Final Narrative Report to the Spencer Foundation
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Recent Projects
Early Childhood Education
AIR conducts research to assist in the development of programs and policies that aid young children and their families, including many large-scale studies of early care and education programs for states and the federal government. AIR also designs results-based accountability systems for child development programs, conducts statewide assessments of supply and demand for preschool and infant/toddler services, and has developed a Preschool Cost Estimator.
Recent Reports
- Teacher Practice and Student Outcomes in Arts-Integrated Learning Settings: A Review of Literature
- Condition of Children Birth to Age Five and Status of Early Childhood Services in California
- Children’s Elementary School Outcomes After Participating in Family Literacy Programs
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Recent Projects
- Wisconsin Reading Excellence and Demonstration of Success Initiative (READS)
- Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest (REL Midwest)
- The CALDER Center is Now Located at AIR
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Recent Products
Education Technology
Technology offers tremendous promise for learning and has ignited the imagination of those who are interested in bringing about revolutionary gains in the achievement of all students. Yet, with this great potential, the use of technology in schools also raises a whole host of challenges, including those related to cost-effectiveness, equity, and safety.
AIR has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure sound investments in technology in education. Our staff evaluate technology-based education programs and curricula, and provide guidance on systems for collecting, analyzing, and using data in making classroom and school data-driven decision making.
Recent Reports
- National Leaders Explore Technology Issues During NCTI’s 2010 Technology Conference
- Changing the Odds: Informing Policy with Research on How Adult Learners Succeed
- The Digital Disconnect
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Recent Projects
- AIR Convenes the U.S. Department of Education’s Connected Educator Month
- AIR Convenes the U.S. Department of Education’s Connected Educator Month
- Indiana Diagnostic Assessments Study
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Recent Products
Evidence-Based Research in Education
AIR applies rigorous standards to the review and synthesis of research to determine what approaches to education are based on high quality evidence. Our staff help set standards for the quality of impact studies, through the What Works Clearinghouse and Doing What Works, as well as other federal, foundation, and state projects. AIR also develops tools for analyzing data across studies and manages complex reviews.
Recent Reports
- Hawaii Race to the Top Evaluation
- The Kindergarten Year
- Wisconsin Culturally Responsive Education for All (CREATE) Initiative - Training and Enhancement Initiative
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Recent Projects
- Texas Statewide 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- Wisconsin Reading Excellence and Demonstration of Success Initiative (READS)
- New York State Curriculum Audits
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Recent Products
Good Behavior Game
The Good Behavior Game is a behavioral classroom management strategy that involves helping children learn how to work together to create a positive learning environment. It promotes each child’s positive behavior by rewarding student teams for complying with criteria set for appropriate behavior, such as working quietly, following directions, or being polite to each other. The team-based approach uses peer encouragement to help children follow rules and learn how to be good students. At the same time, it enables teachers to build strong academic skills and positive behaviors.
AIR evaluates the implementation and impact of the Good Behavior Game approach to managing classroom behaviors. Through a series of related studies, AIR has developed a strong evidence base around the impact of this approach.
Recent Reports
Recent Projects
- Good Behavior Game Professional Development Study
- Center for Integrating Education and Prevention Research (EdPrev)
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Recent Products
Teacher Preparation and Professional Development
AIR is widely respected for its contributions to the policy discussions around teacher preparation and professional development, including alternative ways of measuring teacher effectiveness and changes in the teaching workforce related to No Child Left Behind (NCLB). We have:
- conducted multi-year evaluations of traditional and alternate route teacher preparation;
- national studies of the impact of professional development on teacher knowledge, practice, and student achievement; and
- research on teacher assignments and student work.
Recent Reports
- Teachers’ Perspectives on Educational Research
- Wisconsin Culturally Responsive Education for All (CREATE) Initiative - Training and Enhancement Initiative
- Middle School Mathematics Professional Development Impact Study: Findings After the Second Year of Implementation
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Recent Projects
Teacher Quality and Effectiveness
Teachers have the greatest potential to impact student learning, and research has found that student achievement is related to teacher competence. AIR works to better understand and improve teacher effectiveness in the school setting. For example, we evaluate teacher preparation pathways, measure schools’ progress towards having “highly qualified teachers,” develop new teacher compensation strategies, and evaluate professional development approaches and programs. This work includes developing teacher knowledge tests and innovative approaches to measure teacher practice and student outcomes.
Recent Reports
- Teachers’ Perspectives on Educational Research
- Middle School Mathematics Professional Development Impact Study: Findings After the Second Year of Implementation
- Study of Teacher Preparation in Early Reading Instruction
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Recent Projects
- Evaluation of the TEACh Initiative
- National Charter School Resource Center
- Indiana Diagnostic Assessments Study
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Recent Products
