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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."
25 Jan 2021
In the Field

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Image of RPAs in Austin

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, Juvenile Justice
14 Jan 2021
In the Field

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Infographic: Health Care Hesitancy During the COVID-19 Pandemic Survey Results

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

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Illustration of AIR expert Karen Francis

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

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Image of young family in Africa with root vegetables

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

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Image of child giving teacher on screen a thumbs up

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

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Image of Hispanic family reading together at home

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

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Image of middle school students working on science project

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, Youth-Serving Systems
29 Oct 2020
In the Field

Lessons Learned: What Research Shows About Students’ Experiences with Online Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented school closures throughout the United States, prompting educators to search for ways to meet the needs of children and families outside the bounds of traditional school walls. AIR has studied online learning for more than a decade, and although none of our studies took place in a situation like the current pandemic, this research provides insights that could inform education leaders who are working to promote and support student learning from afar.
Topic: 
Education, Technology for Teaching and Learning
27 Oct 2020
In the Field

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Image of teacher with mask kneeling to help student in mask

Three Strategies to Help States Elevate Educational Equity

While the road to achieve equity in education has always been challenging, the COVID-19 global pandemic has further complicated these efforts. Through AIR’s work with eight states as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s comprehensive center program, we are learning more about which strategies are showing promise. Here are three.
Topic: 
Education, Equity in Education
20 Oct 2020
In the Field

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Image of smiling girl in Bangladesh

Effective Pre-Primary Education Programs: Lessons Learned from Bangladesh and Mozambique

Countries such as Bangladesh and Mozambique have made universal access to pre-primary education a priority in recent years. Other countries hoping to improve their pre-primary education programs can learn from the experiences of Bangladesh and Mozambique; specifically, some of the necessary conditions to make pre-primary education programs effective.
Topic: 
International, International Early Childhood and Child Development, International Education
14 Oct 2020
Q & A

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Image of David Hayes-Bautista

An Emerging Narrative on Latino Health Disparities and its Implications in the COVID-19 Era

Longstanding systemic health and social inequities have put Americans categorized as racial and ethnic minorities at greater risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19. At the same time, Latinos have a history of good health outcomes. AIR Institute Fellow David E. Hayes-Bautista has researched Latino health outcomes for more than three decades, and has reframed the narrative about diversity, race and ethnicity, and health. In this Q & A, he explains his findings and the implications for health care policy and practice.
Topic: 
Health, Eliminating Health Disparities
8 Oct 2020
Q & A

In Conversation: What Do Rising Rates of Anxiety and Depression Mean for Families, Schools, and Communities?

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented American families with extraordinary challenges. Alarming rates of anxiety and depression symptoms are among the most troubling. In this Q&A, Frank Rider and Kelly Wells discuss the implications for families, schools, and communities.
Topic: 
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) / Response to Intervention (RTI), Health, Mental Health
24 Sep 2020
In the Field

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Image of graphic showing importance of staffing qualified teachers during the COVID pandemic

Addressing Teacher Shortages with Differentiated Staffing Models

As the COVID-19 pandemic turns into a longer-term crisis with no end in sight, planning for the fall raises even more questions for teachers about school policies and their own futures. In this final installment of a series, Gretchen Weber discusses how the pandemic could be the force that finally drives us to permanent, much needed staffing solutions.
Topic: 
Education, Teacher Preparation and Performance
16 Sep 2020
Q & A

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Illustration of Josh Polanin

Meet the Expert: Joshua R. Polanin

In this Q&A, Josh Polanin, principal researcher and project director for AIR’s What Works Clearinghouse, discusses his experience in quantitative methodology, particularly systematic review and meta-analysis, which allows him to design and lead studies across the field of education research.
Topic: 
Education, District and School Improvement, English Learners, Violence Prevention
10 Sep 2020
In the Field

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Image of students at computers with social distancing and masks

Promoting Digital Equity and Opportunity in the Time of COVID-19

Often, strategies to provide equal access to technology and the internet involve simply providing people with devices. AIR's Trent Sharp explains why this could be short-sighted.
Topic: 
Education, Equity in Education, Technology for Teaching and Learning
24 Aug 2020
In the Field

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Image of high school student wearing a mask

Resources to Go Beyond the Basics and Support the Whole Child

Despite uncertainty about the start of the 2020-2021 school year, one thing is clear: Learning will take multiple forms and things will likely change as the school year progresses. AIR researchers created this resource for families and caregivers to help foster positive conditions for learning at home.
Topic: 
Education, Equity in Education, Social and Emotional Learning
11 Aug 2020
Q & A

How Can Schools Provide Quality Professional Learning Remotely?

As the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged teachers to shift instruction to distance learning platforms, it also has exposed the need for professional learning opportunities to help teachers adapt to this “new normal.” Lynn Holdheide answered a few questions about how districts and schools can turn this crisis into an opportunity for robust professional learning.
Topic: 
Education, Teacher Preparation and Performance
5 Aug 2020
Q & A

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Teacher teaching virtually to students

Promising Strategies to Prepare New Teachers in a COVID-19 World

Lynn Holdheide, managing technical assistance consultant at AIR, and senior advisor and former director for the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders, explains how teacher preparation programs are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. She also shares some innovative ways that school districts and programs are preparing teachers during uncertain times.
Topic: 
Education, Teacher Preparation and Performance

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Kimberly T. Kendziora

Managing Researcher
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Mary Thorngren

Managing Project Specialist
Catherine Barbour

Catherine Barbour

Managing TA Consultant
David Osher

David Osher

Vice President and Institute Fellow
Beth Howard-Brown

Beth Howard-Brown

Principal TA Consultant
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Roger Jarjoura

Principal Researcher

Louis Danielson

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Tracy Gray

Managing Director
Cindy Cai

Xinsheng Cindy Cai

Principal Researcher
Kathleen Murphy

Kathleen Murphy

Principal Researcher

David Seidenfeld

Vice President, International Research and Evaluation
Michelle Yin

Michelle Yin

Principal Economist
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Rebecca Zumeta Edmonds

Managing Researcher

Melissa Edmiston

Director, Learning and Development

Stephanie Jackson

Managing Researcher

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