Blog post

Finding What Works: AIR’s History of Developing Insights to Drive Improvements to Practice and Policy

Since 1946, AIR has worked diligently for the American people as a trusted government contractor and grantee. Through rigorous and objective research, evaluation, and technical assistance, AIR has:

  • Evaluated the quality of nursing homes for the elderly;
  • Helped implement a rigorous screening process for commercial pilots and improve airplane accessibility;
  • Studied ways to improve highway safety;
  • Assessed the extent of child homelessness across the country; and
  • Led groundbreaking studies to learn what works to help American students compete on a global stage.

All Americans want great schools, affordable, high-quality healthcare, safe neighborhoods, and good jobs. AIR takes pride in being a trusted, objective partner that has helped the government do the work of the American people during each presidential administration. From the middle of the 20th century until now, we have collaborated with the federal government and states to help them deliver the services and support our communities and citizens need and deserve—and we will continue to do so. 

So, while some may not know AIR’s name, they know our work. We contribute data and insights to drive improvements in schools, healthcare services, economic opportunity, food security, and more. We look forward to continuing to operate in compliance with each administration as we have since 1946 to ensure that Americans can achieve their goals and dreams and have the opportunity to thrive in our great nation.
 


A nonpartisan social and behavioral science research organization, AIR has been committed to generating evidence that supports decision-making on programs and policies across 15 U.S. presidential administrations.

AIR was founded by aviation psychology pioneer John C. Flanagan in 1946, during the administration of Harry S. Truman. Rooted in Flanagan’s experience working for the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, AIR’s first project led to the development of an innovative aptitude test to select commercial airline pilot candidates. These techniques were adopted broadly by the U.S. aviation industry, and many are still in use today.

Over the decades, AIR has supported our clients in uncovering the evidence they need to advance effective policies in workforce development, education, healthcare, and other sectors.
 

AIR Begins Ambitious Project Talent Program (1960)

In partnership with the National Institute on Aging during the Eisenhower administration, AIR launched Project Talent, a national longitudinal study that first surveyed America’s high school students in 1960. At the time, it was the largest and most comprehensive study of U.S. high school students ever conducted. The database became a national resource for improving education through vocational guidance and curriculum development, ensuring students could build on their talents through productive careers. The data from this project continues to be used today to make discoveries about health and aging.
 

AIR Advances Asthma Treatment (1977)

In 1977, through a grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute under the Carter administration, AIR began work on a series of programs to teach children and adults with asthma the skills they need to manage their condition and lead healthy lives. These evidence-based programs included well-known initiatives such as Wee Wheezers, an educational program for young children with asthma, and Breathe Easier, an asthma education program for adults.
 

AIR's Specialized Wheelchair Design Improves Aircraft Accessibility (1986)

During the Reagan administration, AIR emerged as a leader in improving the accessibility of air travel for people with disabilities. In a project sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration in 1986, AIR developed the federal advisory standard on aircraft boarding chair design and patented a specialized wheelchair for use in the narrow spaces of commuter aircraft.
 

AIR Develops National Reporting System for Adult Education (1997)

During the Clinton Administration, AIR led the National Reporting System for Adult Education for the Office of Vocational and Adult Education. AIR developed the adult education accountability system and, from its inception, offered a parallel line of technical assistance activities to ensure its effective implementation and use.
 

AIR Develops Standards to Improve Nursing Home Care (2001)

In 2001, during the George W. Bush administration, the Health Care Financing Administration selected AIR to participate in two critical initiatives aimed at improving the quality of nursing home care. Through this work, AIR helped strengthen the nursing home inspection process and better evaluate and track deficiencies, so that outcomes could be improved for aging individuals who count on this care. 
 

AIR Plays Pivotal Role in No Child Left Behind Act (2006)

Also, during the Bush Administration, beginning in 2006, AIR played a pivotal role in two congressionally mandated studies — the National Longitudinal Study of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and a Study of State Implementation of Accountability and Teacher Quality under NCLB. Together, these studies were the major data sources for the National Assessment of Title I, which provided Congress with critical information to inform the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
 

Creating the Community Forum on Effective Health Care (2011)

AIR led the creation of the Community Forum on Effective Health Care during the Obama administration, an initiative that developed and evaluated approaches to expanding the participation of the public and various stakeholder groups in improving the effectiveness of healthcare. The information generated helped patients and their families understand what treatments work best and how their risks compare, while allowing for individual choices.
 

Transforming Iowa’s Public Workforce System (2019)

In 2019, during the Trump administration, the state of Iowa sought to transform its public workforce system to streamline service delivery, strategically leverage resources, and comply with key Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act requirements. They also sought to improve outcomes for both job seekers and customers. To drive this effort, Iowa Workforce Development collaborated with AIR to develop and implement a transformation plan that included reconfiguration of local workforce development areas, policy development, and capacity building for state and local workforce board members and staff, as well as chief elected officials.
 

Strengthening the U.S. Organ Donation and Transplant System (2024)

AIR is working with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to improve the governance and efficiency of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). Launched during the Biden administration, this ongoing effort supports HRSA’s OPTN Modernization Initiative, which aims to enhance the process of how patients are matched to organs, shorten wait times, address disparities, and improve transplant outcomes.

Learn more about AIR’s history of generating rigorous evidence throughout the decades by visiting the timeline on our About Us page.