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 kids running outside school, wearing masks
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.
31 Mar 2021
Report

A Framework for Considering Device and Interface Features That May Affect Student Performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress

A recent challenge to maintaining NAEP trends has arisen with the exploration of new testing methods and question types that reflect the growing use of technology in education. The purpose of this white paper is to provide a framework for considering device and interface features that may affect student performance on digital NAEP assessments, and to prioritize the variables that should be examined in further validity studies.
Image of school principal with students
30 Mar 2021
Spotlight

Building and Supporting Great School Principals and Leaders

Principals impact student achievement through their influence on classroom instruction, organizational conditions, community support, and setting the teaching and learning conditions in schools. Read about what our researchers are learning about leading schools and how they are applying that learning to improve state policy, district programs, and school practices aimed at developing and retaining effective leaders.
Image of quote by Drew Atchison
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.
Image of report cover
24 Feb 2021
Report

U.S. National and State Trends in Educational Inequality Due to Socioeconomic Status: Evidence from the 2003–17 NAEP

This study examines the trends in educational inequality due to family socioeconomic status (SES) in the United States both at the national level and at the state-level. Specifically, the study focuses on the changes in achievement gaps between high and low SES students between 2003 and 2017 with an additional emphasis on performance trends of low-SES students over time.
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