As the United States moves toward developing common education standards in reading and mathematics, a new report by AIR examines the composite standards in mathematics used in grades 1-6 by three Asian countries with high-performing students – Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore.
Singaporean students ranked first in the world in mathematics on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)-2003; U.S. students ranked 16th out of 46 participating nations at grade 8. This exploratory study compares key features of the Singapore and U.S. mathematics systems in the primary grades, when students ...
As more students return to in-person learning, education leaders are working not only to rebuild school communities and help students transition but also to address gaps in learning resulting from COVID-19 disruptions.
In a webinar on February 28, 2023, AIR presented new data across case studies, including the key institutional, political, financial, and sociocultural factors affecting the inclusion of displaced children into national education systems.
The Quality Reading Project works to improve reading skills among primary-grade students in Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic through four main activities: (1) in-service teacher training; (2) increased availability of reading materials; (3) community support; and (4) government support. This report describes a study that reviewed Tajikistan’s teaching and learning ...
Making education a true engine for human and social development requires evidence-based instructional strategies and systems for students, families, and teachers. AIR integrates the science of what works with the equally complex science of implementing what works on a global scale.
One year after a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is continuing to work with Haiti's Ministry of Education (MENFP) to restore the nation's education system. AIR is assembling transitional classrooms and building the capacity of the ministry to train teachers – making it possible for ...
There is significant evidence that learning in a child’s first language promotes consistent learning gains; however, little is understood about how education systems should effectively add or transition instruction from a first language to a second language and sometimes additional languages. This study aims to fill this gap. ...
Federal and local governments continue to invest billions of dollars each year in professional development for teachers. Until recently, there has been little rigorous evidence to inform the design and delivery of these programs. This brief outlines the key findings from three random assignment PD evaluation studies and proposes areas ...