Education

Increasing the effectiveness of education

AIR is committed to increasing the effectiveness of education at all levels through rigorous research and evaluation, training, and technical assistance. Our work spans the learning lifespan—from pre-K to postsecondary education, career readiness, and adult education—and focuses on a wide range of topics, including STEM, social and emotional learning, and state and federal education policies.

Our rigorous, state-of-the-art research and evaluation work provides important evidence for education policymakers and practitioners to use when answering crucial questions about program implementation, challenges, and solutions. Through our policy, practice, and systems change work, our experts help clients address educational issues and challenges at the local, state, national, and international levels by applying evidence-based practices in educational and community settings.

Latest Work

Image of three girls excitedly looking at a book
22 May 2019
Q & A

The Condition of Education: Frequently Asked Questions, Answered

Every spring, the National Center for Education Statistics releases an omnibus report, The Condition of Education. In this Q&A, Jijun Zhang, a senior research analyst at AIR who has worked on this report for a decade, explains how it is compiled, who uses it, and what it can tell us about the state of education—both today and over time.
Illustration of David Osher and areas of expertise
20 May 2019
Q & A

Meet the Expert: David Osher

David Osher is a leading expert in violence prevention, conditions for learning, school safety, and social and emotional learning. The principal investigator on three national centers, he has written and edited various books and articles, including Creating Safe, Equitable, Engaging Schools: A Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Approach to Supporting Students, with fellow AIR experts Deborah Moroney and Sandra Williamson.
17 May 2019
Book

AIR Reads: A Sampling of Books by AIR Board Members, Fellows, and Staff Members

Making the world a better and more informed place drives AIR board members, fellows, and staff. These recent books examine pressing issues in depth, drawing on the best research available to understand complex challenges and offer practical solutions.
13 May 2019
Report

Study of the Title I, Part A Grant Program Mathematical Formulas

The major goals of Title I funding are to provide services to children in low income families and to support school districts with large numbers of poor children. In 2015 ESSA mandated a report examining the distribution of Title I funds to better understand how the current formulas affect various types of school districts—large and small, poor and wealthy, urban, and rural. AIR conducted this report with the National Center for Education Statistics.
Girl being bullied
6 May 2019
Spotlight

Bullying Prevention

October is Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that, during the 2012-2013 school year, about 22 percent of students ages 12–18 reported being bullied at school during the school year. As more is being learned about the negative psychological and physical effects of bullying, researchers are focusing on how to address the problem. The research and resources featured here relate to efforts to prevent violence in schools and help young people feel safe and supported.
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