Renowned ELL Expert Diane August Joins the American Institutes for Research

Washington, D.C. – The American Institutes for Research (AIR) today announced that Dr. Diane August, an education expert with extensive background in the development of language and literacy in second-language learners, is joining AIR as a managing researcher and will guide the organization’s English Language Learners (ELLs) efforts.

August works with the Center for Applied Linguistics, where she serves as principal investigator for a large, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development-funded study investigating the development of literacy in ELLs.  She also serves as co-principal investigator for studies on developing content-area expertise in middle grades ELLs and a diagnostic assessment of reading comprehension.

“Diane August is one of the nation’s leading experts on English Language Learners,” said Gina Burkhardt, executive vice president and director of AIR’s Education, Human Development and the Workforce Program. “As AIR’s work in ELL continues to grow, we are fortunate to have someone with Diane’s knowledge and background lead our ELL efforts while strengthening the connections among research, practice and policy in the field.”

Earlier in her career, August served as senior program officer with the National Academy of Sciences, director of the Children’s Defense Fund’s Education Division, and grants officer for the Carnegie Corporation. She began her career as an elementary and middle school teacher in California.

August earned her bachelor’s from Wheaton College and her master’s and doctoral degrees from Stanford University. She will join AIR August 8.

About AIR
Established in 1946, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is an independent, nonpartisan not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance both domestically and internationally in the areas of health, education, and workforce productivity. For more information, visit www.air.org.

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