Since the late 1990s, TIMSS has been a cornerstone of U.S. education policy, influencing federal legislation like No Child Left Behind and shaping state-level curriculum reforms.
TIMSS data has driven the development of the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards by highlighting how top-performing countries teach math and science.
It remains the principal tool for international benchmarking, helping states and districts align their STEM programs with global best practices.
Understanding how U.S. students and teachers perform on a global stage is essential for shaping education policy and building a competitive workforce. International comparisons across early childhood, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education show where the United States stands, how learning outcomes differ worldwide, and which skills matter most in a fast-changing global economy and labor market.
These insights answer critical questions about U.S. readiness for the future—questions that cannot be addressed without international assessments.
AIR’s Contributions to Education Through International Comparisons
For more than two decades, AIR has been a leader in supporting the U.S. participation in international education studies through a close collaboration with the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) at the U.S. Department of Education.
Our work spans a wide range of topics and education levels, including:
- Early learning (age 5);
- Elementary grades (e.g., grade 4 reading, mathematics, and science);
- Secondary grades (e.g., grade 8 reading, mathematics, science, and computer literacy); and
- Adult skills (e.g., literacy, numeracy, problem-solving).
To make these studies successful, AIR provides expertise and leadership in the following key areas:
- Leadership in the International Assessment and Education Community. AIR represents the United States in global education studies, working with NCES to support international assessments like PISA and to share accurate U.S. education statistics in the annual OECD comparative education report, Education at a Glance.
- High-Quality Item and Questionnaire Development. AIR develops and reviews assessment items and background surveys to align with international frameworks and ensure reliable, unbiased results.
- Data Product Quality Assurance and Analytic Tool Development. AIR reviews education data, databases, and reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with NCES standards. Our work strengthens international reports. For example, AIR’s review of PISA 2018 identified comparability concerns between digital-based and paper-based assessments, prompting the OECD to report the two modes separately, improving the validity of international trend comparisons.
- Advanced Methodological and Statistical Analysis. AIR analyzes international education data to produce U.S. reports and clear insights for policy and practice. We also improve data access through tools like the NCES International Data Explorer and AIR’s EdSurvey, which help users analyze international education results accurately and efficiently.
- Strategic Dissemination and Knowledge Building. AIR shares international education findings through clear, engaging products such as interactive reports, briefs, infographics, webinars, and conference presentations. We also provide training and data support to help researchers, educators, and policymakers use international assessment data effectively.
