The Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIACC) is a cyclical, large-scale, direct household assessment that compares the basic skills and competencies of adults around the world. It measures relationships between individuals’ backgrounds and cognitive skills in the areas of literacy, numeracy and problem-solving. AIR provides technical, analytical, and ...
To improve the outcomes of adult learners, programs and educators need research they can trust and readily use to inform practice. AIR contributes to the research base about what works for adult learners by conducting rigorous and policy-relevant studies focused on teaching and learning.
As the national economy expands in areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), the teaching of this content has become vital for adults to succeed in the workplace. AIR developed new and innovative ways to improve the teaching of STEM content to adult education students using open educational resources ...
The initiatives to enhance adult learning program accountability and assessment systems of the following states are described in this paper: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Oregon, Texas, Washington, West Virginia.
Legislation in the early 1990’s reflected renewed focus on the role adult education served in preparing adults for postsecondary education and the workforce and recognition that a professionalized system of teacher education and training was essential to achieve these ends. PRO-NET 2000 focused on the development and dissemination of competencies ...
Quality indicators have helped states define the components of program quality and enabled them to develop measures for evaluating programs to ensure effective practice. This paper presents a summary of state implementation of the quality indicators, focusing on the development of measures and standards for the indicators and the impact ...
Global competitiveness relies on closing the achievement gap, such that all learners are prepared to meet the demands of the 21st Century. Because an important component of learning is the quality of instruction, AIR developed an adult educator induction model and toolkit, teacher competencies, and research briefs, all to support ...
Currently, English language learners (ELLs) comprise over 40% of students served by adult basic education programs. Therefore, it is critical that instructors are equipped with the training and tools to meet their learning needs. From 2013-2016, through its Improving Adult English Language Instruction initiative, the Office of Career, Technical and ...
AIR will lead a federally funded network designed to strengthen adult literacy, numeracy and other foundational skills through the development, adoption and evaluation of technology-supported interventions. AIR will serve as the network lead in collaboration with its partners, Abt Associates, Jobs for the Future (JFF), and the EdTech Center @ ...
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, AIR has been a source of evidence-based information on the various complexities of this crisis, and has conducted research to learn more about the effects of the pandemic on students, patients, and workers ...