Stories from the Field

Cleveland teacher with students examining caterpillars

Stories and commentary on AIR's mission in action, from our researchers and practitioners and from those who are touched by our work.

"To generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world."
27 Apr 2021
In the Field

Building the U.S. Workforce of the Future: Key Challenges and Opportunities

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic put extraordinary pressures on the U.S. economy, a number of disruptive shifts complicated workforce stability and preparation. AIR's Workforce Development and Economic Mobility/Prosperity Working Group conducted a series of analyses to better understand current economic dynamics. Here are the key takeaways and guideposts for building a strong, enduring workforce system.
Topic: 
Workforce, Workforce Development
15 Apr 2021
In the Field

Addressing COVID-19 Learning Disruptions: Four Recommendations for Effective Tutoring Interventions

As more students return to in-person learning, education leaders are working not only to rebuild school communities and help students transition but also to address gaps in learning resulting from COVID-19 disruptions. AIR Senior Researcher Emily Loney discusses one strategy states and districts are considering: tutoring, or focused instruction provided to students in one-on-one or small group settings.
Topic: 
Education, Mathematics Education, Reading and Literacy, Social and Emotional Learning
12 Apr 2021
Q & A

How Expanded Learning Programs and Schools Work Together to Support California Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

AIR partnered with Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) and the Partnership for Children and Youth to create resources that help educators strengthen partnerships between expanded learning programs and schools; plan integrated whole child supports; and design in-person learning hubs. In this Q&A, AIR Researcher Femi Vance describes the interconnected nature of these concepts and programs and their connection to equity.
Topic: 
Education, Afterschool and Expanded Learning, Equity in Education, Social and Emotional Learning, Health, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Mental Health
7 Apr 2021
Q & A

Meet the Expert: Amanda Latimore

Amanda Latimore, Ph.D., leads AIR’s Center for Addiction Research and Effective Solutions (AIR CARES). She also teaches social epidemiology as an adjunct assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Before joining AIR, Latimore held leadership roles with the Baltimore health department and behavioral health authority.
Topic: 
School Climate and Safety, Social and Emotional Learning, Health, Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders, Trauma-Informed Care
23 Mar 2021
In the Field

Understanding Patients’ Feelings on COVID-19 Vaccinations and Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy

Despite promising vaccine trial data, some individuals, particularly Black Americans and people living in rural areas, remain hesitant to be vaccinated against COVID-19. A nationally representative survey from the American Institutes for Research provides additional data on how the public feels about vaccine access, prioritization, and requirements.
Topic: 
Health, Chronic and Infectious Diseases, Healthcare Analysis and Evaluation, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
16 Mar 2021
In the Field

What Health Care Providers Should Know about Patients’ Hesitancy to Seek in-Person Care

Considering the decline in preventive care services and the continuing pandemic, it is important that health care providers ensure that their patients understand the continued need for preventive care and the efforts health care providers and systems have taken to make health care seeking behavior safe. Because they have likely established trust with their patients, providers are best positioned to communicate when a patient should receive in-person care or whether telehealth is sufficient; AIR’s survey provides further insights.
Topic: 
Health, Chronic and Infectious Diseases, Healthcare Analysis and Evaluation, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
15 Mar 2021
Q & A

School Funding Evaluation Focuses on Equity for Students—and Taxpayers

AIR’s most recent study of school funding in New Hampshire, a collaboration with the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire, exemplifies how conventional and novel research methods can provide states with a deep understanding of the impact of school funding on student success. In this Q&A, AIR Principal Research Economist Jesse Levin and Senior Researcher Drew Atchison explain the findings and implications for New Hampshire—and for other states committed to equity.
Topic: 
Education, Equity in Education, School Finance
9 Feb 2021
Q & A

How Can Community COVID-19 Rates Inform Decisions on Reopening Schools?

COVID-19 has profoundly disrupted K–12 schooling. A working paper from AIR’s National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research (CALDER) suggests the prevalence of COVID in the community could be an important factor in deciding whether public schools reopen or remain open.
Topic: 
Education, Health
25 Jan 2021
In the Field

Why a System Level Approach is Needed to Counter Racism Within the Education System

The death of George Floyd, along with racial inequities exacerbated by the global coronavirus pandemic, pushed racial justice issues to the forefront of our conversations in 2020. Sarah Caverly and David Osher discuss the effects on education, using the Austin Independent School District as an example of how a school district addressed issues of persistent racism at the system level.
Topic: 
Education, District and School Improvement, Equity in Education, School Climate and Safety, Social and Emotional Learning, Justice Systems
14 Jan 2021
In the Field

How Willing Are People in the U.S. to Seek Health Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Besides the direct impact of COVID-19 on daily life, the pandemic has affected how individuals approach their personal health and well-being, including if and how they seek health care services.
Topic: 
Health, Chronic and Infectious Diseases, Healthcare Analysis and Evaluation, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
12 Jan 2021
Q & A

Meet the Expert: Karen Francis

Karen Francis, Ph.D., leads AIR’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, where she provides organizational guidance and management around AIR’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy and implementation. A medical sociologist by training, she is the chair of AIR’s Diversity and Inclusion Council and leads AIR’s Cultural and Linguistic Competence Workgroup.
Topic: 
Education, Equity in Education, Mental Health, Violence Prevention
14 Dec 2020
In the Field

From East Africa to the Caribbean: Finding Solutions to Research Challenges During COVID-19

Conducting research and providing technical assistance in developing countries has long been challenging and unpredictable. Here, experts from AIR and IMPAQ and local staff in the field share learned lessons this year about creative solutions to research problems that they will carry with them when encountering future challenges.
Topic: 
International, International Education, International Reading and Literacy
8 Dec 2020
In the Field

How Positive Reinforcement Can Keep Students Engaged in a Virtual Setting

Educators have faced numerous obstacles to meaningfully engaging students during the global coronavirus pandemic. Initially, these were practical, including providing students with access to technology and safe spaces to learn. AIR Senior Researcher Megan Sambolt explains how research suggests multiple types of positive reinforcers can contribute to improved student behavior and increased engagement.
Topic: 
Education, School Climate and Safety, Social and Emotional Learning
3 Dec 2020
In the Field

Strategies for Supporting Young Students’ Home-Language Development During COVID-19—and Beyond

With COVID-19 still affecting in-person education across the country, early childhood educators have had to find new ways to give students, especially those who are dual-language learners, early, rich linguistic experiences. AIR Senior Researcher Lisa Hsin describes a number of ways early childhood educators can help families foster their children’s home language development, while also preparing them to succeed when they’re back in the classroom.
Topic: 
Education, Early Childhood and Child Development, English Learners
18 Nov 2020
Q & A

A Quick Word with Jessica Heppen on Using Texting to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Schools

In a study for the Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, AIR evaluated the effects of an adaptive text messaging intervention on chronic absenteeism in schools. Jessica Heppen, a senior vice president at AIR, tells us more about the study, including what her team learned about the effectiveness of the intervention and implications for educators, parents, and students.
Topic: 
Education, Technology for Teaching and Learning
2 Nov 2020
Q & A

A Quick Word with Jill Young on the Readiness Projects

The Readiness Projects—a partnership of the Forum for Youth Investment, the National Urban League, and AIR—advances work informed by science and grounded in practice. In this Q&A, Jill Young, senior researcher at AIR, discusses how the Readiness Projects can support equitable opportunities for thriving youth.
Topic: 
Education, Early Childhood and Child Development, Equity in Education, Youth Development

Image of view all button