K–12 Assessment Services That Support Better Learning and Decisionmaking
Trustworthy assessment results are needed to support instruction, identify student needs, and compare academic performance across schools, states and districts. AIR’s K–12 assessment teams help states and districts collect accurate, useful information about student learning. We provide the tools and expertise needed to support teaching and learning, improve accountability, inform policy, and guide better decisions.
Our Work
As part of AIR’s contributions to maintain meaningful classroom-through-career experiences, we bring together deep expertise in assessment, psychometrics, research, technical assistance and drawing on decades of experience across large-scale, K–12 national and international assessments.
We partner with clients to develop and deliver innovative assessment solutions tailored to communities, contexts, and goals. Through our K–12 assessment services, we contribute to advancing learning, improving systems, and driving positive outcomes for learners, workers, and communities.
Our Services
Content Development Services
Standards-aligned, accessible assessment content for learners.
- Item and task development (math, English language arts, science, social studies)
- Facilitation of educator item development panels
- Lead expert reviews by educators and subject matter experts
- Cognitive interviews (English/Spanish) to improve clarity and accessibility
Learn more about AIR’s Standards Implementation.
Psychometrics & Data Analysis
Clear, reliable analysis to ensure assessment results can be trusted and used with confidence.
- Item response theory and classical test theory analysis
- Standard setting, benchmarking, and performance level descriptors
- Analysis of test-taking behavior (e.g., timing, navigation, interactions)
- Simple, clear reports to guide decisionmaking
Research & Evaluation
Research-driven insights to strengthen assessment and accountability systems, validity evidence, and policy.
- Validity, fairness, and bias studies (for peer review evidence)
- Technical reporting
- Alignment studies (standards, frameworks, blueprints)
- Psychometric research
- Predictive validity research (education and workforce outcomes)
Quality Assurance (QA)
Explore AIR’s QA approach to NAEP.
Independent, end-to-end QA to ensure accuracy, consistency, and defensibility across content, psychometrics, operations, and reporting.
- Multi-stage reviews of items and forms for alignment, accessibility, and fairness
- Independent verification of psychometric analyses, including scaling, equating, and scoring outputs
- QA of administration and scoring processes to ensure reliability and issue detection
- Validation of data files, calculations, and reporting outputs prior to release
- Standard QA protocols and cross-team reviews to ensure consistency across workstreams
- Ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement in partnership with the state
Technical Assistance & Capacity Building
Hands-on support to build sustainable, balanced assessment systems.
- Implementation guides and practical tools
- Webinars on assessment implementation
- Workshops for educators on assessment data interpretation and use
- Thought partnership with states and districts on assessment and accountability innovations
- Ongoing support for system and school improvement
