District and School Improvement

Image of young adults talking in a libraryBetter schools help make better communities and improve students’ chances of success. Our work in school improvement and effectiveness encompasses a broad range of issues, including comprehensive school reform, high school improvement, turnaround schools, and standards-based reform, as well as policies and practices that influence teacher effectiveness.
 

For more about our client services in this topic area, visit the District and School Improvement Center >>

Latest Work

22 Oct 2019 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Event

Addressing the Talent Problem: Recruiting and Retaining Effective Educators for All Schools

Join AIR and WestEd for a special panel discussion, where education practitioners and experts will showcase effective talent retention strategies linked to rapid school improvement, as well as overview strategies that federal policymakers can authorize and fund under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
30 Sep 2019
In the Field

Southeast Comprehensive Center Impact Stories

The Southeast Comprehensive Center developed a series of impact stories to highlight key technical assistance support and positive outcomes related to improving teaching, learning, and capacity building in the five states served in its region: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
26 Sep 2019
Blog Post

Addressing the Educator Pipeline Through Pathways and Partnerships

In this blog post, published as part of the work of the Midwest Comprehensive Center, Chris Times discusses how states can ensure that all students have access to excellent educators.
14 Aug 2019
Spotlight

Back to School: Preparing Students and Schools for Success

As students across the country return to school, those responsible for their care and education are finalizing their plans to ensure a productive year. AIR’s evidence-based resources for back to school support educators through three essential lenses: school climate, safety, and social and emotional learning (SEL); college and career readiness; and school improvement.
BARR Model classroom with students
30 Jul 2019
Report

Building Assets and Reducing Risks (BARR) Validation Study: Final Report

Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) is a comprehensive, strength-based approach that uses eight interlocking strategies to build intentional staff-to-staff, staff-to-student, and student-to-student relationships in secondary schools. Read the final report of a large-scale independent evaluation of the BARR model in ninth grade in eleven high schools in Maine, California, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Texas.
Image of Texas State House
11 Jul 2019
In the Field

Story Map: Meet the Texas Comprehensive Center

There are more than 5 million students in Texas, the second-largest state in the U.S. by population and geography. To truly move the dial on education in this highly diverse state, the Texas Comprehensive Center uses a variety of tools and approaches and considers challenges from multiple perspectives. Read through this story map to learn more about the Center's work.
19 Jun 2019
Blog Post

Improving Teacher Retention in Chicago Public Schools

In this blog post, published as part of the work of the Midwest Comprehensive Center, Chris Times and Fausto López describe how educators and students in Chicago are proving that diligence and data-informed decision making can lead to positive changes.
22 May 2019 | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Event

How Federal Policy Can Empower States and Communities to Provide Whole Child Education For All Students

Decades of research show that whole child approaches to learning, which emphasize a positive school climate; an integrated approach to social, emotional, and academic learning; and wraparound services are essential to students' academic and life success and can reduce the negative effects of poverty on achievement. Speakers at this briefing will examine federal policy levers state and local policymakers can use to invest in research-based whole child approaches to learning.
30 Apr 2019
Guide

Guide to Working With External Providers (Fourth Edition)

Although ESSA defines what is meant by evidence-based interventions, districts are responsible for selecting and implementing the strategies that are best aligned to their school needs. This guide was developed to support state and district leaders in identifying and working with external partners.
5 Apr 2019
ESSA

ESSA Action Guides

Signed into law in 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a commitment by Congress and the U.S. Department of Education to equal educational opportunity for all American students. As states continue to implement ESSA programs, AIR is providing a series of action guides to support and inform education leaders.
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